North Korea Closes Diplomatic Missions in Angola and Uganda Due to Economic Struggles Amid Sanctions

The recent closure of North Korea’s diplomatic missions in Angola and Uganda signals the country’s financial challenges abroad due to international sanctions, according to South Korea’s unification ministry. Both Angola and Uganda had maintained friendly relations with North Korea since the 1970s, engaging in military cooperation and projects that generated foreign currency, such as statue-building initiatives.

However, on Monday, North Korea’s state media outlet KCNA announced “farewell” visits by its ambassadors to Angolan and Ugandan leaders, and local media in both African nations reported the shutdown of North Korean embassies. Seoul’s unification ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, attributed this withdrawal to the impact of international sanctions aimed at restricting funding for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

The ministry stated, “They appear to be withdrawing as their foreign currency earning business has stumbled due to the international community’s strengthening of sanctions, making it difficult to maintain the embassies any longer. This can be a sign of North Korea’s difficult economic situation, where it is challenging to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries.”

North Korea, which has formal relations with 159 countries, operated 53 diplomatic missions overseas, including three consulates and three representative offices, until its withdrawal from Angola and Uganda.

According to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, citing unnamed sources, North Korea was reportedly planning to close at least 10 diplomatic missions, including a consulate in Hong Kong, primarily due to economic difficulties.

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