North Korea has pulled its ambassador out of Britain just weeks after he arrived, scaling back diplomatic relations in retaliation for sanctions placed on a North Korean children’s camp, according to a report from NK News, a website that focuses on North Korean affairs.
The North Korean embassy in London issued a statement to NK News announcing the withdrawal of Ambassador Mun Myong Sin and said diplomatic ties would be reduced to the charge d’affaires level until Britain removes its sanctions against the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.
Britain imposed those sanctions in May, designating the camp as part of Kremlin-run youth programs connected to the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
The North Korean embassy described Britain’s action as a “heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation,” accusing London of trying to damage North Korea’s reputation and weaken its relationship with Russia, NK News reported.
North Korea’s foreign ministry had already responded in May through state media, calling the sanctions a malicious act and warning that Britain would face consequences. The ministry dismissed the sanctions as baseless and argued they violated the rights of North Korean children, whom it described as receiving the “most precious” treatment.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to comment to NK News about Ambassador Mun’s status or the circumstances of his departure.
Britain had appointed a new ambassador to North Korea last year, though its embassy in Pyongyang has remained shuttered since the COVID-19 pandemic. North Korea’s embassy in Britain did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
