North Korea is facing the closure of up to a dozen embassies, including those in Spain, Hong Kong, and various African countries, as the country struggles to generate revenue overseas due to international sanctions. South Korea’s unification ministry has stated that the recent closures indicate North Korea’s financial difficulties abroad. North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that the country’s ambassadors made “farewell” visits to Angolan and Ugandan leaders, and local media in both countries confirmed the shutdown of North Korean embassies. Angola and Uganda have had longstanding ties with North Korea, providing sources of foreign currency through military cooperation and projects like statue-building. The closure of these embassies is expected to have significant implications for North Korea’s diplomatic engagement, humanitarian work, and illicit revenue generation. Chad O’Carroll, founder of the North Korea-focused website NK Pro, believes that more than a dozen missions may close due to international sanctions, North Korea’s global disengagement trend, and the weakening of its economy. Seoul’s unification ministry attributes the embassy pullout to the impact of international sanctions aimed at curbing funding for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. The ministry also suggests that the closure reflects North Korea’s difficult economic situation, making it challenging to maintain diplomatic relations even with traditionally friendly countries. North Korea has formal relations with 159 countries but had 53 diplomatic missions overseas, including consulates and representative offices, until its withdrawal from Angola and Uganda. Additionally, North Korea will close its embassy in Spain, with its mission in Italy handling affairs in the neighboring country. The closure announcement was made in a letter dated Oct. 26, as revealed in correspondence with the Spanish Communist Party. The North Korean embassy in Madrid gained attention in 2019 when a group seeking the overthrow of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un broke in, binding and gagging staff before stealing computers and other devices. Pyongyang condemned the incident as a violation of sovereignty and a terrorist attack, accusing the United States of insufficient investigation and refusal to extradite the group’s leader.
North Korea Shuts Down Multiple Embassies Across the Globe
