Isolating Pyongyang

[Anchor Lead]

More than 20 countries, including North Korea's long-time allies, such as Myanmar, Vietnam and Uganda, have expelled North Korean diplomats or severed diplomatic ties with the North. Some observers say that Washington's policy to ostracize Pyongyang diplomatically is producing results.

[Pkg]

North Korea's long-time allies, such as Myanmar, Vietnam and Uganda, have recently expelled North Korean diplomats stationed in those countries. The expelled diplomats belonged to the Korean Mining Development Trading Company and Ocean Maritime Management Company. The firms have been conducting illegal business involving missiles to earn foreign currency. Portugal, the North's European ally, has also severed diplomatic ties with the regime after 42 years, while Mexico, Peru, Spain, Kuwait and Italy have expelled North Korean diplomats. In all, more than 20 countries have either cut or downsized their diplomatic or economic relations with Pyongyang since the start of the Trump administration. The Wall Street Journal wrote that the Trump administration has drafted a list of North Korea's overseas interests, and that Washington is demanding that the relevant nations sever their diplomatic relations with Pyongyang based on the list.

[Soundbite] Prof. Kim Hyun-wook (Korea National Diplomatic Academy) : "The agreed upon diplomatic measures based on sanctions and pressure will further isolate North Korea."

While some are skeptical about such measures, observers say that diplomatic isolation will help cut Pyongyang's profits earned by selling illegal drugs and fabricating bills, as well as undermine funding for its nuclear and missile programs.