North Korea has decided to shut down its embassy in Uganda, marking the end of a diplomatic presence that spanned over five decades in one of its long-standing African allies.
The announcement came after a meeting between the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, and the North Korean ambassador, Jong Tong Hak, on Monday.
According to a statement from the Ugandan presidency shared with AFP, Ambassador Jong conveyed that North Korea had taken a strategic step to reduce the number of its embassies in Africa, including Uganda, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of its foreign institutions.
Ambassador Jong emphasized that the strong friendship between the two countries would continue and be further strengthened and developed.
North Korea established diplomatic ties with Uganda shortly after the country gained independence from Britain in 1962.
In 1971, Pyongyang supported Idi Amin’s rise to power, providing training and weapons to his forces.
North Korea subsequently opened its embassy in Kampala the following year.
Ugandan President Museveni has made multiple visits to North Korea, where he had meetings with the late leader Kim Jong Il, who was the father of the current North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.
Source-BBC
