Nigeria to Reopen Embassy in North Korea After Covid-19 Closure

Nigeria is set to reopen its embassy in North Korea after a prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, marking it as the first African nation to resume diplomatic relations in North Korea since the pandemic. This reopening follows the country’s border reopening earlier this year, with Nigeria maintaining a unique diplomatic presence alongside Egypt. The relationship between Nigeria and North Korea, established in 1976, remains complicated by alleged arms trades in violation of U.N. sanctions.

Nigeria is preparing to reopen its embassy in North Korea after an extended closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as announced by the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang. This initiative marks Nigeria as the first African nation to reinstate diplomatic activities within the North Korean capital subsequent to the pandemic’s disruption. Patrick Imodu Imologhome, Nigeria’s newly appointed charge d’affaires, conveyed this reinstatement plan during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora in Pyongyang last Wednesday.

Notably, Nigeria and Egypt are the only African countries maintaining diplomatic representation in North Korea, as the countries established formal relations in 1976. Illustratively, a U.N. panel has indicated that the North Korean regime is suspected of engaging in arms trading or illicit business dealings with Nigeria, which contravenes U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

Since North Korea began to reopen its borders in August 2023, several countries including China, Russia, Mongolia, and Cuba have resumed their diplomatic missions in Pyongyang. Furthermore, Nicaragua has established a new embassy, alongside Sweden, which became the first Western nation to restore its diplomatic presence in November. Poland has also expressed intentions to renew its diplomatic footprint in North Korea.

In summary, Nigeria’s move to reactivate its embassy in Pyongyang reflects a wider trend of reopening diplomatic channels in North Korea post-Covid-19, signifying the complex and evolving nature of international relations within the region.

The reopening of the Nigerian embassy in North Korea represents a significant development in diplomatic relations between the two nations and reflects broader regional dynamics amid ongoing global changes following the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, North Korea has maintained strict border controls, which stifled diplomatic exchanges. The gradual lifting of these restrictions since mid-2023 has opened the door for several countries to restore or establish their diplomatic missions, signalling a potential thaw in relations that had been frozen during the pandemic. Notably, both Nigeria and North Korea had diplomatic ties dating back to 1976, which have comprised discussions and potential cooperation despite the international scrutiny surrounding North Korea’s arms trade dealings.

In conclusion, Nigeria’s decision to reopen its embassy in North Korea marks a notable return to diplomatic engagement after years of hiatus due to Covid-19. This move underscores Nigeria’s unique position as one of the few African nations with direct ties to North Korea, and it reflects a broader trend of countries re-establishing diplomatic missions in response to changes in global health policies and geopolitical dynamics. As international relations evolve, the implications of such engagements remain to be seen, particularly amid ongoing concerns regarding North Korea’s adherence to international sanctions.

Original Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com