The totalitarian East Asian state of North Korea announced on Friday that it would close several of the country’s embassies.
A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry reiterated this on the ministry’s website, writing: “We are going through a process of change that includes withdrawing and opening diplomatic missions in accordance with the changing global environment and national foreign policy. “
The reason for the closures is that they want to make their “diplomatic capabilities more efficient.” Not only would embassies be closed, but diplomatic missions in other countries would also be reopened. The spokesperson did not provide further details.
Up to twelve embassies affected
According to media reports, North Korea apparently plans to close 12 embassies, including those in Spain, Hong Kong and several African countries. This would mean the closure of almost 25 percent of all North Korean missions worldwide. North Korea currently maintains official relations with 159 countries and has 53 diplomatic missions abroad, including embassies, three consulates and three missions. There is also a bilateral embassy in Vienna, which also functions as a permanent representation to the international organizations in Vienna.
There may be economic problems behind it
The South Korean government sees the closures as a sign of enormous economic problems in the neighboring country. Increased international sanctions on North Korea have interrupted foreign currency inflows, the Ministry of Unification in Seoul said. The closures highlighted North Korea’s “desolate economic situation,” in which it is difficult to “maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditional allies.”
According to the Unification Ministry in Seoul, North Korea has diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries. The number of foreign missions has decreased since the 1990s due to financial problems. According to experts, North Korea has closed missions at a similar rate as in the 1990s. At the time, the country was hit by famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people – estimates are in the millions.
Source: Krone
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