Swedish ambassador’s return to Pyongyang opens a channel for dialogue
Just as tensions over its alliance with Russia are rising, North Korea accepted the credentials of the Swedish diplomat, the first Westerner to return on a permanent basis. Sweden’s embassy in North Korea has always performed consular services for US citizens and played an important mediatory role. Still, North Korea’s strongman continues to slam Washington's “provocations”.
Pyongyang (AsiaNews/Agencies) – While tensions are rising in Asia, partly as a result of the developing partnership between North Korea and Russia, with North Korean troops involved in the war against Ukraine, Pyongyang is trying to strike a more conciliatory note.
Yesterday the Ambassador of Sweden, Andreas Bengtsson, presented his credentials in the North Korean capital in what is a significant move since Sweden is the first Western country to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to reports from the Korean Central News Agency, Bengtsson handed over his credentials, sent by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, at a ceremony held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, accepted the credentials on behalf of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
After borders were reopened in August 2023, the few countries with close ties with North Korea, reopened their diplomatic mission, most notably China, Russia, Mongolia, and Cuba.
For this reason, Sweden's move is seen as a significant development in Western diplomatic efforts in North Korea.
Diplomatic relations with Sweden have a long history. In 1973, Sweden became the first Western country to establish formal diplomatic ties with the isolated country.
Over the years, its embassy has not only provided consular services to US citizens in North Korea, but has also mediated between Pyongyang and Washington.
The question now is whether Bengtsson's presence in the North Korean capital will reopen a channel of communication with the West, at a time when Kim Jong-un has joined the war in Ukraine burning all the bridges painstakingly built with South Korea.
With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in a few weeks, it should be noted that he was the last US leader to engage in direct negotiations with North Korea, with two summits held in Singapore and Vietnam in 2018 and 2019 respectively, without any significant agreements.
However, signals from Pyongyang do not seem encouraging. Yesterday Kim, speaking at a defence fair where he showed off new weapons, claimed that his country had done everything possible to negotiate with the United States, but only got Washington's “unchanging invasive and hostile policy toward North Korea.”
Kim reiterated his accusation against Washington of strengthening military alliances and deploying strategic weapons aimed at North Korea, intensifying its military pressure and provocations.
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12/02/2016 15:14
24/06/2020 09:38
