North Korea’s New Ambassador to Singapore Presents Credentials
Seoul, August30 (Yonhap) – North Korea’s newly appointed ambassador toSingapore, Ri Kil-song, has arrived in the city-state and presented his credentials to President Halimah Yacob, according to a report by theNorth Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.
The KCNA report stated that Ri arrived in Singapore recently and delivered his letter of credence to theSingaporean president on August 27. During the ceremony, Ri conveyed greetings from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to President Yacob. In response, President Yacob expressed her gratitude and asked Ri to convey her regards to Kim.
President Yacob also expressed hope for the swift recovery and stabilization of life for residents in North Korea’s northern region, which has been affected by recent natural disasters.
Ri’s appointment marks a resumption of face-to-facediplomatic activities by North Korea after a period of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This move comes after Pyongyang recently appointed new ambassadors to Vietnam, Thailand, and Romania.
Speculation suggests that Ri may have served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asian Affairs until 2020. However,his specific background and previous diplomatic experience remain unclear.
This diplomatic appointment holds significance as Singapore has historically played a role in facilitating communication between North Korea and the international community. The city-state hosted the historic summit between Kim Jong-un and former US President Donald Trump in 2018.
While theappointment of a new ambassador to Singapore may not immediately signal a significant shift in North Korea’s foreign policy, it underscores the country’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic ties with key regional players.
The appointment also comes at a time when North Korea is facing increasing international pressure over its nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang has conducted aseries of ballistic missile tests in recent months, drawing condemnation from the United Nations Security Council.
Analysts believe that North Korea’s recent diplomatic outreach, including the appointment of new ambassadors, could be a tactic to alleviate international pressure and potentially open avenues for future negotiations.
However, it remains to be seen how Ri’s appointment will impact relations between North Korea and Singapore, as well as the broader regional dynamics.
The appointment of a new ambassador to Singapore is a significant development in North Korea’s foreign policy. It signals the country’s willingness to re-engage with the international community after a period of isolation. However, the long-term implications of this move remain unclear.
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