North Korea has decided to close its embassy in Madrid, a move confirmed by Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean press outlet. The report cites a verbal note published on the website of the Communist Party of the Spanish People, indicating a formal shift in how Pyongyang will conduct its diplomatic outreach with Spain. The exact reasons behind the closure were not disclosed in the note, leaving analysts to infer potential political and logistical factors that often accompany changes in embassy status. The note also reveals that the responsibility for Madrid’s diplomacy will pass to the North Korean embassy in Italy, which will handle the country’s dealings with Spain from now on. The document does not offer any explicit justification for the shutdown, prompting questions about broader diplomatic strategy and regional priorities. [Yonhap]
Historical ties between North Korea and Spain date back to the early 2000s. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 2001, and Madrid opened an embassy in 2013 to support bilateral dialogue and cooperation. The current development marks a notable shift in how the two countries manage their relationship, potentially affecting ongoing exchanges across political, cultural, and economic domains. The overseas Korean mission network, already reshaped by recent realignments, may adjust further as regional offices assume responsibilities once managed directly from Madrid. [KCNA]
Separately, it was reported by the Korean Central News Agency that Pyongyang’s ambassadors to Uganda and Angola bade farewell to the presidents of their host nations. These farewell visits are often part of standard diplomatic courtesy and signify transitions within North Korea’s overseas representation as personnel reassignment or diplomatic strategy evolves. The moves underscore the ongoing breadth of North Korea’s international outreach even as other channels experience realignment. [KCNA]
On the international stage, October 19 brought remarks from Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, who stated that relations between Russia and North Korea had entered a new, qualitatively more strategic phase. The statement points to a deepening alignment on a range of geopolitical issues and reflects a broader readjustment of North Korea’s partnerships amid shifting global dynamics. The comment was reported through official channels and highlighted by regional observers as a signal of intensified cooperation and mutual interest. [TASS / Reuters coverage]
Earlier in the year, North Korea drew attention by comparing high level interactions involving figures from international agencies and the U.S. State Department. Such exchanges are often interpreted as barometers of North Korea’s engagement with global governance bodies and Western diplomacy. These episodes, while intermittent, illustrate the continued strategic maneuvering North Korea employs to navigate international scrutiny and pursue its own policy objectives. [KCNA]