Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — North Korea is closing its embassy in Uganda, ending a diplomatic presence in one of its long-standing African allies. This decision was announced after a meeting between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and North Korean ambassador Jong Tong Hak. North Korea cited the need to increase the efficiency of its external institutions as the reason for reducing the number of embassies in Africa, including Uganda.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries will continue, with North Korea managing its interests through its embassy in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The statement from Jong expressed gratitude for Uganda’s consistent support of North Korea’s peaceful efforts for Korean Peninsula unification.
North Korea’s ties with Uganda date back to shortly after Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962. North Korea supported Idi Amin’s regime in 1971, providing training and weapons. The North Korean embassy in Kampala was established in 1972 during this period.
After President Museveni came to power in 1986, the two countries signed cooperation agreements that involved North Korea supplying weapons, military equipment, and security force training to Uganda. However, in May 2016, Uganda announced the cessation of military cooperation with North Korea in response to heavy UN sanctions related to North Korea’s nuclear program.
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Notably, President Museveni has made multiple visits to North Korea, including meetings with the late leader Kim Jong Il, the father of the current North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.
I met the outgoing Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mr. Jong Tong Hak, who paid me a courtesy call at State House, Entebbe. I thank him for his ten-year service in Uganda and wish him good luck. pic.twitter.com/E3eGpmzeMw
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 23, 2023
