China Confirms Closure of North Korea’s Hong Kong Consulate, Respecting Decision

The Chinese government officially confirmed the closure of North Korea’s consulate in Hong Kong on the 1st.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated during a regular briefing that afternoon, “China respects North Korea’s decision to close its consulate in Hong Kong.” He added, “Every country has the right to establish or withdraw consular agencies in other countries based on the situation and needs.”

North Korea recently notified China of its intention to close the consulate in Hong Kong. It followed a series of closures of North Korean diplomatic missions in Africa, including Uganda and Angola. There are also signs of reducing overseas diplomatic missions, including withdrawing diplomatic delegations in Spain.

About this, a South Korean Unification Ministry official said on the 31st of last month, “It appears that they are withdrawing due to difficulties in maintaining embassies due to strengthened sanctions against North Korea by the international community.” He added, “This reflects North Korea’s difficult economic situation, struggling to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditional friendly countries.”