North Korea shuts down embassies in multiple countries

According to media reports and analysts, North Korea is about to close up to twelve embassies, including those in Spain, Hong Kong, and several African nations. This could result in the closure of nearly 25% of Pyongyang’s missions worldwide.

South Korea’s unification ministry said on Tuesday that North Korea’s recent closure of its diplomatic missions was an indication that the reclusive nation is finding it difficult to earn money abroad due to international sanctions.

North Korean ambassadors paid “farewell” visits to leaders of Angola and Uganda last week, according to a report released by the state media outlet KCNA on Monday. Local media in both African nations also reported that the North had closed its embassies there.

Since the 1970s, Angola and Uganda have established amicable relations with North Korea.

According to Chad O’Carroll, the founder of the website NK Pro, which focuses on North Korea, the embassy closures created the conditions for what may turn out to be “one of the country’s biggest foreign policy shakeups in decades.” This could have an impact on diplomatic relations, humanitarian efforts in the isolated nation, and the capacity to make illegal money.

He stated in a report on Wednesday that more than a dozen missions might close, most likely as a result of international sanctions, Pyongyang’s trend of disengaging from the world, and the likely weakening of the North Korean economy.

The pullout, according to Seoul’s unification ministry, which is in charge of inter-Korean affairs, was a result of international sanctions meant to reduce funding for the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes.

“They appear to be withdrawing as their foreign currency earning business has stumbled due to the international community’s strengthening of sanctions, making it difficult to maintain the embassies any longer,” the ministry said in a statement.

“This can be a sign of North Korea’s difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries.”

According to the ministry, North Korea maintained 53 diplomatic missions abroad, including three consulates and three representative offices, before leaving Angola and Uganda. It has formal relations with 159 countries.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, North Korea will also close its embassy in Spain and handle matters in the neighbouring nation through its mission in Italy.

(With agency inputs)