North Korea says closing foreign missions as part of its ‘regular affairs’

Experts say North Korea is increasingly focusing on ties with countries such as Russia [File: Russian Foreign Ministry via Reuters]

North Korea has said it is closing several diplomatic missions abroad as international sanctions continue to disrupt its ability to finance its offices overseas and other ventures.

Closures have already affected Spain, Hong Kong, Angola and Uganda, but experts say Pyongyang may close as many as 10 missions and embassies in total – representing about 20 percent of its current diplomatic presence.