London: Britain has appointed a new ambassador to North Korea, with the envoy set to take up the post within this month, according to its foreign office Tuesday. Simon Wood, who recently served as deputy director for North-East Asia and China Directorate, will succeed former Ambassador to Pyongyang David Ellis, who will be retiring from foreign service, the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a press release on Monday (U.K. time).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wood will assume his new role within this month. Ellis served as the top envoy to Pyongyang from December 2021 to February of this year. However, the change in post is unlikely to indicate that the new ambassador will physically serve in Pyongyang, as the British Embassy in North Korea has remained closed since its staff left due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only a few European countries, including Sweden and Poland, have reopened their embassies after North Korea eased border controls. Nevertheless, Britain is unlikely to restore its diplomatic presence in Pyongyang at this stage, considering its outspoken criticism of Russia over the war in Ukraine and the strengthening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, diplomatic sources stated.