North Korea shuts down many embassies globally.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
11:54 AM – Wednesday, November 1, 2023
North Korea is on the brink of closing approximately 12 embassies worldwide, including those in Spain, Hong Kong, and several African countries.
The potential closures have sparked speculation that the country is facing financial challenges due to international sanctions.
In a statement, South Korea’s unification ministry referred to North Korea as a “reclusive country” and attributed the shutdowns to a lack of income from overseas.
On Monday, North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that the country’s ambassadors had made “farewell” visits to the leaders of Angola and Uganda last week. Local media in both African countries also confirmed the closure of North Korean embassies.
Since the 1970s, both Angola and Uganda have maintained friendly relations with North Korea, including military cooperation and involvement in projects that provide a unique source of foreign currency, such as statue-building projects.
The closure of these embassies is setting the stage for what could potentially be one of the most significant foreign policy shifts in North Korea in decades.
This development has far-reaching implications for diplomatic engagement, humanitarian efforts within the isolated nation, and the regime’s capacity to generate revenue.
Seoul’s unification ministry supported the claim that the shutdowns are a consequence of international sanctions that have curbed funding for North Korea’s nuclear and missile initiatives.
“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.”
North Korea maintains formal relations with 159 countries but had 53 diplomatic missions abroad, including three consulates and three representative offices, until its withdrawal from Angola and Uganda, as reported by the ministry.
Additionally, North Korea is set to close its embassy in Spain, with its responsibilities in the neighboring country to be handled by its mission in Italy, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
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What are the potential implications of North Korea’s embassy closures on diplomatic engagement and humanitarian efforts within the isolated nation?
Decoding North Korea’s Diplomatic Shift: Embassies Closure Raises Concerns
In recent news, North Korea is reportedly on the brink of closing approximately 12 embassies worldwide, including locations in Spain, Hong Kong, and various African nations. The potential closure of these embassies has sparked speculation regarding the country’s financial challenges and the impact of international sanctions.
South Korea’s unification ministry, in a statement, referred to North Korea as a “reclusive country” and attributed the embassy shutdowns to a lack of income from overseas. This statement aligns with the belief that North Korea is facing financial difficulties due to international sanctions imposed on the nation. These sanctions have had a detrimental impact on North Korea’s economic activities, particularly in areas such as nuclear and missile initiatives.
On Monday, North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that the country’s ambassadors had made “farewell” visits to the leaders of Angola and Uganda. Local media in both African countries also confirmed the closure of North Korean embassies. For decades, Angola and Uganda maintained friendly relations with North Korea, including military cooperation and involvement in projects that provided a unique source of foreign currency, such as statue-building projects.
The closure of these embassies is a significant development that could potentially shape North Korea’s foreign policy for decades to come. Not only does it impact diplomatic engagement, but it also raises concerns about humanitarian efforts within the isolated nation and the regime’s capacity to generate revenue.
Seoul’s unification ministry supports the claim that the embassy closures are a consequence of international sanctions that have severely curbed funding for North Korea’s nuclear and missile initiatives. In a statement, the ministry said, “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.” This statement highlights the challenging economic situation in North Korea, where maintaining even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries has become difficult.
Despite North Korea maintaining formal relations with 159 countries, the closure of embassies in Angola and Uganda signifies a diplomatic shift. It raises concerns about North Korea’s ability to engage with the international community and maintain diplomatic ties. Additionally, it emphasizes the impact of international sanctions on the country’s economic stability.
In conclusion, the closure of North Korean embassies worldwide, including those in Spain, Hong Kong, and various African countries, signifies a significant development in the nation’s foreign policy. It highlights the economic challenges North Korea faces due to international sanctions and their impact on revenue generation. The closure of embassies has far-reaching implications for diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, and the country’s overall engagement with the international community. As North Korea navigates this diplomatic shift, the world watches closely, aware of the potential consequences and future implications.
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