North Korea has withdrawn its ambassador from Britain just a month after his appointment, reducing diplomatic ties in reaction to British sanctions on a children’s camp, according to North Korea-focused website NK News.
Pyongyang’s embassy in London announced in a statement to NK News that Ambassador Mun Myong Sin has been recalled, and diplomatic relations have been lowered to the level of charge d’affaires until Britain removes sanctions on the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.
In May, London categorized the camp as part of Kremlin-run youth initiatives and entities involved in the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
The North Korean embassy described the British move as a “heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation,” accusing London of trying to damage North Korea’s image and disrupt its relations with Russia, NK News reported.
North Korea’s embassy in Britain did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
In a statement issued by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry in May, carried by state media, the sanctions on the Songdowon camp were labeled as a malicious action for which London would face consequences.
The statement described the sanctions as baseless, claiming they harmed the rights and interests of North Korean children, who reportedly receive “the most precious” treatment.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not comment to NK News on the status of Mun or the reasons for his recall.
Last year, Britain appointed a new ambassador to North Korea, though its embassy in Pyongyang has remained closed since the pandemic.
