North Korea confirms closure of several diplomatic missions

2023-11-03 12:15:25, Kosova & Bota CNA

North Korea confirmed on November 3 that it is closing some of its diplomatic missions abroad. This announcement, according to South Korea, is likely the latest sign of economic problems due to ongoing international sanctions.

Earlier in the week, the South Korean government said North Korea is closing its embassies in Uganda, Angola and Spain, as well as its consulate in Hong Kong because sanctions have made it extremely difficult for these embassies to continue illegal activities abroad to earn money for their operating expenses.

According to South Korean government data, North Korea has diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries, but has only close to 50 diplomatic missions abroad.

North Korea's foreign ministry said Friday that "we are either closing or opening new diplomatic missions in other countries" in line with changes -- unspecified -- in the North's international environment and foreign policy.

South Korean officials could not immediately confirm whether the North is indeed opening new diplomatic missions.

On the website of North Korea's Foreign Ministry, a spokesman said it is normal for sovereign states to move their diplomatic forces overseas in line with national interests. The announcement said North Korea would continue to take "necessary diplomatic measures" to maintain its long-term ties with the states, but did not elaborate.

North Korean embassies and diplomatic missions overseas have been linked to cases of smuggling and other illegal commercial activities in order to finance operating costs and send foreign currency to the North.

But South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Tuesday that the North has decided to close some diplomatic missions because it is struggling to make money due to international sanctions imposed over nuclear and missile tests.

In recent years, North Korea's fragile economy has been hit hard by restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic, sanctions and mismanagement. But monitoring groups have said that there is no signal of any humanitarian crisis or social chaos that could threaten the leader of this isolated country, Kim Jong Un./ REL