North Korea decides to close its mission in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, shift in priorities, and resource constraints, North Korea has decided to close its embassy in Nepal.

North Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Jo Yong Man, officially communicated the government’s choice to shut down the embassy to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.

It should be noted that Nepal and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 1974 with the latter establishing its residential embassy in Kathmandu.

Nepal, however, does not have an embassy in North Korea.

It may also be noted that Nepal and North Korea had in 1970 signed a Bilateral Trade Agreement before formalizing diplomatic ties.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Advisor, Rupak Sapkota, confirmed the official confirmation of North Korea’s decision to shut down its embassy by its ambassador to PM Dahal.

It also should be noted that Ambassador Man bid farewell to PM Dahal on Monday.

PM Dahal, meanwhile, expressed optimism about the eventual reopening of the North Korean embassy in Nepal.

Sources claimed that North Korea made this decision in a bid to downsize its embassies abroad due to “geopolitical considerations and economic challenges”.

It May be noted that Khabarhub published a series of stories in 2019, which led to the closure of several North Korean illegal and clandestine businesses, and arrests and deportation of several North Koreans from Nepal.

Prior to 2019, North Korea had been operating several illegal businesses, including restaurants in Kathmandu.

All businesses and illegal operations were shut down in Nepal following the imposition of economic sanctions by the UN in 2018.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry, last week, conveyed to Nepal its decision to close down several embassies.

According to the North Korean foreign ministry, the closures and openings of some embassies were part of routine adjustments in response to a changing global environment and national foreign policy.

Meanwhile, based on information from government sources, the embassy closure was prompted by the government’s monitoring of business operations and illicit activities in Nepal.

Additionally, financial transactions involving North Korea have been halted.

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