Nigeria has officially reopened its embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea, marking a significant diplomatic milestone following its closure in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this reopening, Nigeria joins Egypt as the second African nation to maintain a diplomatic presence in North Korea.
Despite the embassy’s closure, Nigeria and North Korea sustained their diplomatic relations through Nigeria’s mission in Abuja. According to reports, North Korea’s ambassador to Nigeria, Jon Tong Chol, has remained in Abuja throughout the pandemic. Since his appointment in 2018, Ambassador Jon has engaged in diplomatic exchanges with Nigeria, although the specifics of these discussions have generally remained undisclosed.
North Korea shut down its borders in early 2020 due to the pandemic, requiring foreign diplomats and field workers from international organizations to withdraw from the isolated country. In August 2023, North Korea began reopening its borders.
Currently, Nigeria and Egypt are the only African countries with a diplomatic presence in North Korea. Meanwhile, eight countries—including China, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cuba, Russia, Syria, and Egypt—have maintained limited diplomatic missions in Pyongyang by leaving some embassy staff behind during the pandemic.
Imologhome, Nigeria’s charge d’affaires, announced the reopening plans during a meeting in Pyongyang with Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexandr Matsegora. This was communicated by the Russian Embassy on its Facebook account last Thursday.
Earlier this month, Russia’s embassy in Pyongyang noted in a Telegram message that representatives from various diplomatic missions, including Nigeria and India, participated in an event celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
North Korea and Nigeria established diplomatic ties in 1976, and both nations have managed to maintain their relationship despite the embassy’s closure.
