Switzerland has reopened its diplomatic office in North Korea as it seeks to renew direct political contact amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Ignazio Cassis became the first Swiss foreign minister to visit the country since 2003 during a trip to Pyongyang on 29 and 30 October, followed by a visit to Seoul.
The office resumed operations on 19 October and operates under Switzerland’s embassy in Beijing, which remains responsible for diplomatic and consular relations with North Korea. Switzerland’s previous office in Pyongyang focused on humanitarian cooperation before closing in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bern said the reopened office would enable direct contact with North Korean authorities and help Switzerland monitor regional developments. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1974, although regular political consultations were suspended after 2019.
In Pyongyang, Cassis met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Jo Yong Won, secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee. His discussions with Choe addressed the restoration of political dialogue, security on the peninsula and broader security challenges in Europe and Asia.
Cassis told Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS that he had offered Switzerland’s help in facilitating dialogue to reduce tensions. He said the proposal appeared to have been well received. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA described the meeting as taking place in a friendly atmosphere but did not provide further details.
Cassis travelled to Seoul on 30 and 31 October, where he met National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and senior foreign ministry official Jeong Yeon-du. Jeong was briefed on the talks in Pyongyang and expressed hope that the Swiss office would help South Korea engage with North Korea, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.
The diplomatic efforts came after North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea on Thursday, according to the South Korean military. The launch followed Seoul’s renewed call for military talks aimed at preventing accidental clashes along the border.
Switzerland has participated in monitoring the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War since 1953 through the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission at Panmunjom. During his visit, Cassis also met the head of the Swiss delegation to discuss the security situation.
Sources: Euronews English.