News In Brief

North Koreans expelled by Burma after bombing

North Korea's diplomatic mission was expelled from here Sunday after the Burmese government severed diplomatic relations with Pyongyang over the Rangoon bomb blast. The diplomats were given 48 hours to leave after Burma blamed North Korea for the bomb attack here on Oct. 9 which killed four South Korean cabinet ministers and 17 other people.

Western diplomats said North Korea's diplomatic isolation and reputation for unpredictable behavior would likely be reinforced by Burma's accusation. South Korea has already appealed to all countries to withdraw recognition of North Korea over the bomb blast. North Korea said Saturday that Burma's decision to cut diplomatic relations was an unjustifiable act that ignored international law.