Swiss foreign minister visits North Korea as diplomatic office reopens

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 14:28 · Archive

Switzerland has formally reopened its diplomatic office in Pyongyang as Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis held talks on normalising political relations.

Switzerland has formally reopened its diplomatic office in North Korea after its closure during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis visited Pyongyang on 29 and 30 October, marking the first visit by a Swiss government minister to the country since 2003. The office became operational on 19 October and will report to the Swiss embassy in Beijing, which remains responsible for diplomatic and consular relations with North Korea.

During his visit, Cassis met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Jo Yong Won, a secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Korean Workers' Party. The discussions focused on 'regularising political relations and reestablishing a political dialogue' between the two countries. Cassis also stated that he had offered Switzerland's help in facilitating dialogue to ease tensions on the peninsula. The talks covered security on the Korean Peninsula and broader Eurasian security challenges.

Switzerland and North Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since 1974, though regular political consultations stopped after 2019. The Swiss foreign ministry said the renewed office would allow Switzerland to maintain contact with both sides of the divided peninsula and strengthen direct contacts with North Korean authorities. North Korea's state news agency confirmed Cassis's arrival but provided no details on the visit's purpose.

How it is being reported

• Swiss foreign minister makes first North Korea visit since 2003 as diplomatic office reopensSwitzerland is renewing direct talks with North Korea as tensions rise on the peninsula. Seoul hopes the Swiss office will help it engage with Pyongyang.Euronews · 1 Nov, 14:03
• Swiss foreign minister talks political ties on rare visit to North KoreaSwitzerland formally reopens diplomatic office in North Korea after its closure in 2020.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 15:37

In this story: Switzerland · North Korea · Ignazio Cassis · Choe Son Hui · Jo Yong Won · Pyongyang · Korean Peninsula · Beijing

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log