North Korea Closes Multiple Embassies Worldwide

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Facts

  • Media reports and analysts claim that North Korea intends to disengage its diplomatic presence in up to twelve nations around the world, including its embassies in Spain, Hong Kong, and several African nations. This would mean that Pyongyang would cut its overseas missions by almost a quarter.1
  • The recent shutdown of North Korea's diplomatic offices abroad, according to South Korea's Unification Ministry on Tuesday, is an indication that the country is finding it difficult to generate revenue abroad as a result of international sanctions.2
  • According to insiders, Pyongyang does not financially support its embassies in foreign countries, leaving them reportedly responsible for creating their own sources of income and sending back money to the regime as 'kickbacks.'3
  • Local media in both Angola and Uganda reported on Monday that the ambassadors of North Korea made 'farewell' visits to their respective leaders last week per official media accounts from Pyongyang.4
  • The Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain published a North Korean diplomatic document on its website stating that Pyongyang is closing its embassy in Madrid and that its mission in Italy would take over all diplomatic matters involving Spain.5
  • Before its recent closure, North Korea maintained 53 diplomatic missions abroad. Diplomats continue to play a vital role in evading international sanctions, as per a 2019 UN Security Council report.6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2NBC, 3FOX News, 4The Business Standard, 5Korea Times and 6UPI.

Narratives

  • Anti-North Korea Narrative, as provided by FOX News. North Korea’s leadership is closing its diplomatic missions throughout the globe because it can no longer afford to keep them. This indicates that the international sanctions imposed on the North are working. As a result, Pyongyang is finding it more difficult to obtain foreign currency to retain even the barest of diplomatic ties with its long-standing relationships.
  • Pro-North Korea narrative, as provided by The East African. Pyongyang has decided to reduce the number of its foreign missions, including those in Spain and Uganda. There is nothing dramatic behind this decision, it’s a strategic choice to increase the efficiency of North Korea’s external institutions. Pyongyang is determined to continue strengthening its relations with these friendly nations through its other regional missions.

Predictions