By John Ikani
North Korea is on the brink of shutting down nearly a dozen embassies, including those in Spain, Hong Kong, and various African nations, marking a potential closure of approximately a quarter of its global diplomatic outposts.
This move highlights the country’s financial challenges overseas due to international sanctions, as observed by South Korea’s Unification Ministry.
In a recent development, North Korea closed a number of its diplomatic missions, a clear indication of its economic struggles on the global stage.
The North Korean state media outlet, KCNA, reported that the country’s ambassadors bid their “farewell” to Angolan and Ugandan leaders, and local media in these African nations confirmed the closure of North Korean embassies.
For decades, Angola and Uganda have maintained friendly relations with North Korea, engaging in military cooperation and foreign currency-generating projects like statue-building initiatives.
The closure of these embassies sets the stage for what could be a substantial shift in North Korea’s foreign policy, impacting diplomatic engagements, humanitarian efforts within the isolated nation, and its ability to generate revenue, as highlighted by Chad O’Carroll, the founder of the North Korea-focused website NK Pro.
The closure of over a dozen embassies may be attributed to the mounting pressure of international sanctions, reflecting North Korea’s gradual withdrawal from the global stage.
Seoul’s Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, has stated, “They seem to be withdrawing due to the challenges in earning foreign currency, as international sanctions have become increasingly stringent.
This makes it increasingly difficult to sustain these embassies.” This situation signals North Korea’s economic challenges, making it hard to maintain even minimal diplomatic ties with traditionally friendly nations.
Initially, North Korea held formal relations with 159 countries and maintained 53 diplomatic missions abroad, including three consulates and three representative offices.
However, the closure of embassies in Angola and Uganda represents a significant transformation in its foreign presence. Additionally, North Korea is set to close its embassy in Spain, with its mission in Italy assuming responsibilities in the neighbouring country, as reported by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
