Embassy of North Korea, London
The Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in London (Korean: 주 영국 조선민주주의인민공화국 대사관; Hanja: 駐英國朝鮮民主主義人民共和國大使館; MR: Chu Yŏngguk Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Daesagwan) is the diplomatic mission of North Korea to the United Kingdom.[1] It is located in a detached house at 73 Gunnersbury Avenue on the northern corner junction with Baronsmede, in Ealing, a suburban district of west London. It is notable for being one of the few embassies in London located in a suburban area, away from the central diplomatic areas of the city.[2][3] The seven-bedroom property was purchased by the North Korean government for £1.3 million in 2003.[4][5]
Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in London | |
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Location | Ealing, London |
Address | 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, London, W5 4LP |
Coordinates | 51.50310°N 0.28915°W |
Ambassador | His Excellency Mr Choe Il |
History
In November 2014, an exhibition of art from the Mansudae Art Studio was held at the embassy, to coincide with the visit of four North Korean artists to London.[6][7]
The former deputy ambassador Thae Yong-ho defected to South Korea in 2016.[8] The ambassador at the time was Hyon Hak-bong. As of 25 August 2016, Hyon is reported to have been recalled to North Korea following Thae's defection.[9][10]
On September 2017 a suspicious package was found outside of the embassy. As a result the area's roads and homes were closed and evacuated by the Metropolitan Police who also carried out a controlled explosion.[11]
See also
- Embassy of the United Kingdom, Pyongyang
- Foreign relations of North Korea
- List of diplomatic missions of North Korea
- North Korea–United Kingdom relations
References
- "Foreign embassies in the UK - Publications - GOV.UK".
- "The North Korean embassy – would you believe it's here?". The Guardian. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- "The suburban semi that houses the North Korean embassy". BBC News. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- Alex Spillius (5 April 2013). "North Korean embassy: all quiet on the Ealing front". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- Smith, Robert DG (10 January 2015). "Inside North Korea's Remarkable Embassy In Suburban London". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
- Vincent Dowd (4 November 2014). "North Korean UK embassy hosts first art exhibition". BBC. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- Jonathan Miller (4 November 2014). "Take a rare glimpse at North Korea's brushstroke diplomacy". London: Channel 4 News. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- "North Korea diplomat defects to South". BBC News. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- Ryall, Julian (25 August 2016). "North Korea's ambassador withdrawn and facing questions over London defection". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
- Chang, Il-Hyun (August 24, 2016). "N.Korea Orders Ambassador in U.K. to Come Home". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). Retrieved 2016-08-26.
- "Police blow up 'suspicious item' outside North Korean embassy". Evening Standard. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2020.