North Korea recalls UK ambassador over sanctions against ‘Kremlin-run’ children’s camp

North Korea reportedly recalled its ambassador to Britain, just a month after he took up the post, in response to British sanctions on a children's camp. Pyongyang's embassy in London said in a statement to North Korea-focused website NK News it had withdrawn ambassador Mun Myong Sin and reduced ties ⁠to the level of charge ​d’affaires ⁠until Britain lifts sanctions on the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.Britain appointed a ‌new ambassador ​to North Korea last ‌year, though its embassy in ​Pyongyang has remained closed since the pandemic.

In May, London designated the camp as a part of Kremlin-run youth programmes and entities involved in the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.File. North Korea's embassy to the United Kingdom is seen located in a house in a residential district in west London, Britain 30 March 2013 (Reuters)The embassy called the move by Britain a "heinous, unethical, politically-motivated provocation" and said ‌London was seeking to tarnish North ‌Korea’s image and undermine its ties with Russia, according to NK News.

North Korea's embassy in Britain did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Pyongyang's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by state media in May that the sanctions on the Songdowon camp were a malicious act that London would pay a price for.It called them groundless and said they damaged the rights and interests of its children, who it said received the "most precious" treatment.

Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and ⁠Development Office declined to comment to NK News ⁠on Mr Mun's status or the reason for his departure.Join our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments