Embassies in North Korea not safe, country warns

MOSCOW – North Korea has warned diplomats in Pyongyang that it can’t guarantee the safety of embassies in the event of a conflict and suggested they may want to evacuate their staff, Russia’s top diplomat said Friday.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is demanding an explanation from the North Koreans asking whether the warning is an order to evacuate the North Korean capital or merely a proposal to consider doing so.

“This proposal has been sent to all the embassies in Pyongyang,” Lavrov said. “We are now trying to clarify the situation.”

About two dozen countries have embassies in North Korea. Lavrov said during a visit to Uzbekistan that Russia is in touch with China, the United States, Japan and South Korea – all members of a dormant talks process with North Korea – to try to figure out the motivation behind the warning.

“We are very much worried by inciting of tensions, even though it’s verbal so far,” Lavrov said.

Associated Press