Sweden is preparing to send diplomats back to Pyongyang soon to work at its embassy, multiple informed sources told NK News on condition of anonymity, marking a notable step toward the return of Western diplomats to North Korea since they left during the pandemic.

A majority of embassies ceased operations in the DPRK in 2020 due to the harsh rules imposed on diplomats during the early days of COVID-19, leaving just a skeleton presence of foreigners mainly from countries closely aligned with the North.