Embassy Of Russia, Pyongyang
History
In 1948, following North Korea's independence, the Soviet Union immediately recognized them and established diplomatic relations. Soon afterwards, the embassy became a place where the Soviets discussed with the North Koreans about the military capabilities of the South Koreans and Americans, likely so that they could assess the practicality of ending the Division of Korea by military force.
In 2020, the North Korean government forced a lockdown in the embassy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea. There were claims that the situation was so dire that the Russian delegation and their families left the country by pushing a rail cart due to the closure of rail services in the country. In September 2023, the embassy became the second embassy in North Korea that has allowed for personnel to arrive in the country, after years of lockdown. This was likely in anticipation of the 2023 North Korea-Russia summit that took place later that month.
List of Ambassadors
Name | Appointment | Credentials presented | Termination | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aleksandr Kapto | December 26, 1991 | January 24, 1992 | ||
Yury Fadeyev | January 24, 1992 | August 12, 1996 | ||
Valery Denisov | August 12, 1996 | July 9, 2001 | ||
Andrei Karlov | July 9, 2001 | December 20, 2006 | ||
Valery Sukhinin | December 20, 2006 | April 5, 2012 | ||
Aleksandr Timonin | April 5, 2012 | December 26, 2014 | ||
Aleksandr Matsegora | December 26, 2014 | March 9, 2015 |
References
- ^ Gromyko, Andrei (September 11, 1949). "Telegram from Gromyko to Tunkin at the Soviet Embassy in Pyongyang". Wilson Center.
- ^ Kuhn, Anthony (February 26, 2021). "With North Korea's Border Closed To Trains, Russian Diplomats Push Their Way Out". NPR.
- ^ Kim, Cynthia; Smith, Josh (September 7, 2023). "Russian embassy in North Korea allowed new staff for first time since pandemic". Reuters.