Belarus Opens Embassy in Pyongyang

Belarus opened an embassy in North Korea this month. However, it did not disclose the opening date, location or name of its ambassador to North Korea.

NK News, a U.S.-based outlet specializing in North Korea, reported the news on October 17, citing an announcement by Belarus's Foreign Ministry.

Belarus's Foreign Ministry said, "The opening of these two embassies is the result of a policy aimed at strengthening our diplomatic presence in countries in remote regions," adding, "The missions will focus on developing mutually beneficial relations with North Korea and Myanmar."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photo with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Pyongyang last March. Yonhap News Agency.

Belarus's move to open an embassy in North Korea was set in motion after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's official visit to North Korea in March. In April, Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a Cabinet resolution on opening the embassy.

This is the first time Belarus has had an embassy in North Korea or sent a diplomatic mission there. North Korea, meanwhile, has operated a diplomatic mission in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, since 2016.

North Korean state media have yet to report the opening of Belarus's embassy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.