North Korea has withdrawn its ambassador to the United Kingdom just one month after he arrived in London, in a move linked to British sanctions on a children's camp, according to reports.
The decision lowers diplomatic relations between the two countries, with Pyongyang saying ties will remain at the level of chargé d’affaires until the sanctions are removed.
According to North Korea's embassy in London, Ambassador Mun Myong Sin was recalled in protest over restrictions imposed on the Songdowon International Children's Camp.
Britain sanctioned the camp in May, alleging it was connected to Russian youth programmes involved in the deportation and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
North Korea strongly rejected the accusation and condemned London's decision.
The embassy described the sanctions as a "Heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation."
It also accused Britain of attempting to damage North Korea's reputation and weaken its growing relationship with Russia.
Pyongyang's foreign ministry had previously warned that Britain would "pay a price" for the sanctions. It called the measures baseless and argued they harmed the interests of North Korean children, who it said receive the "most precious" care.
Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not commented publicly on the ambassador's departure or North Korea's decision to downgrade relations.
The diplomatic dispute comes despite Britain appointing a new ambassador to North Korea last year. However, the British embassy in Pyongyang has remained closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest move highlights the growing tensions between North Korea and Western countries as Pyongyang strengthens its political and military ties with Russia.
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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
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