North Korea has recalled its ambassador to the United Kingdom just one month after his appointment, in a move that effectively downgrades diplomatic relations with London in protest against British sanctions imposed on a children’s camp, according to North Korea-focused outlet NK News.
In a statement to NK News, North Korea’s embassy in London said Ambassador Mun Myong Sin had been withdrawn and that bilateral relations would be reduced to the chargé d’affaires level until the United Kingdom removes sanctions on the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.
Sanctions Over Children’s Camp
In May, London designated the camp as a part of Kremlin-run youth programmes and entities involved in the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
The embassy called the move by Britain a “heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation” and said London was seeking to tarnish North Korea’s image and undermine its ties with Russia, according to NK News.
Diplomatic Fallout Continues
North Korea’s embassy in Britain did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Pyongyang’s foreign ministry said in a statement carried by state media in May that the sanctions on the Songdowon camp were a malicious act that London would pay a price for.
It called them groundless and said they damaged the rights and interests of its children, who it said received the “most precious” treatment.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to comment to NK News on Mun’s status or the reason for his departure.
Britain appointed a new ambassador to North Korea last year, though its embassy in Pyongyang has remained closed since the pandemic.
(With inputs from Reuters)
