Kim Jong Un Sees Bigger Cash-Cow in Russia Arms Than Embassies
- North Korean leader is shutting embassies in Africa, Europe
- Several of its overseas missions have had a sordid history
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin on Sept. 13.
Photographer: Vladimir Smirnov/AFP/Getty Images
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Leader Kim Jong Un is launching his biggest scaling back of North Korea’s embassies, likely betting he can earn a larger payout in arms deals with the Kremlin than through missions suspected of sending him a cut of their alleged crimes.
While Kim’s isolated regime has ramped up its diplomatic activity with Russia, official media reports said it shuttered its embassies in Uganda and Angola in October. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website Friday the move to withdraw and establish diplomatic missions “is being done in accordance with a changing global environment and national diplomatic policies.”