Embassy of Russia in Pyongyang Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국주재 로씨야련방대사관 | |
Coord: | 39.0244°N 125.7461°W |
Ambassador: | Aleksandr Matsegora |
Embassy of Russia in Pyongyang( ; Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국주재 로씨야련방대사관)is the official diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in the Democratic Republic of Korea. The current ambassador is Aleksandr Matsegora.
In 1948, following North Korea's independence, the Soviet Union immediately recognized them and established diplomatic relations. Soon afterwards, the embassy became a place where the Soviets discussed with the North Koreans about the military capabilities of the South Koreans and Americans,[1] likely so that they could assess the practicality of ending the Division of Korea by military force.
In 2020, the North Korean government forced a lockdown in the embassy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea. There were claims that the situation was so dire that the Russian delegation and their families left the country by pushing a rail cart due to the closure of rail services in the country.[2] In September 2023, the embassy became the second embassy in North Korea that has allowed for personnel to arrive in the country, after years of lockdown.[3] This was likely in anticipation of the 2023 North Korea-Russia summit that took place later that month.