North Korea has recalled its ambassador to Britain just one month after he assumed the post, downgrading diplomatic relations in response to UK sanctions on a children’s camp, according to the North Korea-focused outlet NK News.
Pyongyang’s embassy in London told NK News that Ambassador Mun Myong Sin had been withdrawn and bilateral ties reduced to the level of charge d’affaires until Britain lifts restrictions on the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.
In May, London designated the camp as part of Kremlin-run youth programmes and linked it to entities involved in the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
The embassy described Britain’s decision as a "heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation" and accused London of attempting to damage North Korea’s image while weakening its ties with Russia.
North Korea’s embassy in Britain did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Pyongyang’s foreign ministry, in a statement carried by state media in May, said the sanctions targeting the Songdowon camp were a "malicious act that London would pay a price for".
It added that the measures were baseless and harmed the rights and interests of its children, who it said were receiving the "most precious" treatment.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to comment on Mun’s status or the reasons for his departure.
The UK appointed a new ambassador to North Korea last year, although its embassy in Pyongyang has remained closed since the pandemic.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
