Embassies in North Korea are quickly closing down — and that’s a big problem



Analysis Embassies in North Korea are quickly closing down — and that’s a big problem Temporary withdrawals of Western European diplomats means fewer eyes and ears in Pyongyang for now, and in the future John Everard August 21, 2020 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Swedish embassy in Pyongyang With the withdrawal of Swedish diplomats from Pyongyang last week, the compound shared by the German, British and Swedish embassies now stands empty. Three of the seven Western European embassies in Pyongyang — as well as the French cultural office — have now been temporarily vacated. North Korea’s tough restrictions on movement, which were enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are the underlying cause. With the withdrawal of Swedish diplomats from Pyongyang last week, the compound shared by the German, British and Swedish embassies now stands empty. Three of the seven Western European embassies in Pyongyang — as well as the French cultural office — have now been temporarily vacated. North Korea’s tough restrictions on movement, which were enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are the underlying cause. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Embassies in North Korea are quickly closing down — and that’s a big problem

Temporary withdrawals of Western European diplomats means fewer eyes and ears in Pyongyang for now, and in the future

John Everard August 21, 2020

Embassies in North Korea are quickly closing down — and that’s a big problem

Swedish embassy in Pyongyang

With the withdrawal of Swedish diplomats from Pyongyang last week, the compound shared by the German, British and Swedish embassies now stands empty.

Three of the seven Western European embassies in Pyongyang — as well as the French cultural office — have now been temporarily vacated. North Korea’s tough restrictions on movement, which were enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are the underlying cause.

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Embassies in North Korea are quickly closing down — and that’s a big problem

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John Everard

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