How North Korea's diplomats navigate privilege and peril abroad



Analysis How North Korea’s diplomats navigate privilege and peril abroad Staff at overseas missions enjoy more freedom than compatriots back home but must turn to illicit activities to survive Nicolas Levi December 25, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean diplomat Han Tae Song in Feb. 2018 \| Image: U.N. Office at Geneva North Korea has finally inched toward accepting that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, opening the country to citizens marooned abroad for nearly four years. At the same time, Pyongyang is in the process of rethinking its diplomatic activities and has closed at least nine overseas missions in recent months. One result of these changes is that many DPRK diplomats are headed back to Pyongyang after years of working abroad. These include Ji Jae Ryong, the former ambassador to China; Ri Guen, the regime’s envoy in Poland; and reportedly Han Tae Song, the ambassador to Switzerland. North Korea has finally inched toward accepting that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, opening the country to citizens marooned abroad for nearly four years. At the same time, Pyongyang is in the process of rethinking its diplomatic activities and has closed at least nine overseas missions in recent months. One result of these changes is that many DPRK diplomats are headed back to Pyongyang after years of working abroad. These include Ji Jae Ryong, the former ambassador to China; Ri Guen, the regime’s envoy in Poland; and reportedly Han Tae Song, the ambassador to Switzerland. 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

How North Korea’s diplomats navigate privilege and peril abroad

Staff at overseas missions enjoy more freedom than compatriots back home but must turn to illicit activities to survive

Nicolas Levi December 25, 2023

How North Korea’s diplomats navigate privilege and peril abroad

North Korean diplomat Han Tae Song in Feb. 2018 | Image: U.N. Office at Geneva

North Korea has finally inched toward accepting that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, opening the country to citizens marooned abroad for nearly four years. At the same time, Pyongyang is in the process of rethinking its diplomatic activities and has closed at least nine overseas missions in recent months.

One result of these changes is that many DPRK diplomats are headed back to Pyongyang after years of working abroad. These include Ji Jae Ryong, the former ambassador to China; Ri Guen, the regime’s envoy in Poland; and reportedly Han Tae Song, the ambassador to Switzerland.

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Nicolas Levi

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