North Korea Closes , Several Global Embassies.<br />North Korea is shuttering up to a dozen embassies <br />around the world, NBC News reports.<br />Closing up to 25% of its diplomatic missions is <br />an indicator that the country is having a difficult time <br />making money overseas due to international sanctions, according to South Korea's unification ministry. .<br />They appear to be withdrawing as <br />their foreign currency earning business has stumbled due to the international community’s strengthening of sanctions, making it difficult to maintain the embassies any longer, South Korea's unification ministry, via statement.<br />This can be a sign of North Korea’s difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries, South Korea's unification ministry, via statement.<br />According to Seoul’s unification ministry, North Korea previously maintained <br />53 diplomatic missions overseas.<br />North Korea also "has formal relations with 159 countries," NBC News reports.<br />Among the North Korean embassies that will close are those in Spain, Hong Kong and several African countries.<br />The country's Madrid embassy garnered <br />attention in 2019 when a group opposing <br />Kim Jong Un broke in and stole various technology. .<br />At the time, Pyongyang called the altercation a "grave breach of sovereignty and terrorist attack.".<br />It also accused America of "refusing to extradite its leader," NBC News reports. .<br />It also accused America of "refusing to extradite its leader," NBC News reports.
