Seoul, South Korea - In a move reflecting the growing economic challenges faced by the reclusive state, North Korea has permanently closed its embassy in Madrid, as indicated by a document released this Wednesday. This action adds to the recent series of closures of several diplomatic missions by North Korea, which are believed to be a result of economic difficulties amplified by global sanctions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the document, which was shared on the website of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain, Pyongyang has declared that matters concerning Spain will be managed by its embassy in Italy going forward. The note verbale, sent by the Charge d'Affaires So Yun-sok of the North Korean embassy last Thursday, did not provide details on the rationale behind this decision. North Korea had established diplomatic relations with Spain in 2001, and opened its mission there in 2013. Kim Hyok-chol became the first ambassador of North Korea to Spain in 2014 but was declared a persona non grata and expelled in 2017 following North Korea’s nuclear test and missile launches. In 2019, the embassy was subjected to an attack by the anti-Pyongyang group, Free Joseon, resulting in the assault of embassy staff and theft of laptops and documents. The materials stolen during this incident were later claimed to have been shared with the FBI by the organization.
The closure of the embassy in Spain is part of a wider trend, with reports from both North Korean state media and African media outlets indicating that North Korea's ambassadors to Angola and Uganda have made “farewell” courtesy calls to the leaders of these African nations, signaling the shutdown of diplomatic missions in these countries as well. Furthermore, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun has reported that North Korea is planning to close its consulate in Hong Kong due to economic difficulties.
An official from South Korea's unification ministry, responsible for handling inter-Korean affairs, attributed these closures to the faltering economy of North Korea. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that maintaining diplomatic missions is becoming unfeasible for North Korea as their efforts to secure foreign currency are being thwarted by strengthened sanctions. Unlike other countries, North Korea's diplomatic missions are known to fund their operations through illicit trade and commercial activities while remitting funds back to their home country, as noted by former North Korean diplomats who have defected to South Korea.
Current government data indicates that North Korea operates 53 diplomatic missions worldwide, comprising 47 embassies, three consulates, and three representative offices. Should the closure of missions in Angola, Uganda, Spain, and Hong Kong proceed as planned, this number is expected to decrease to 49.