N. Korea closes diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, Libya

North Korea has shut down its diplomatic missions in Hong Kong and Libya, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday, as the recalcitrant regime struggles with economic challenges amid prolonged sanctions, Report informs, citing Yonhap.

They are the latest in the list of overseas missions Pyongyang has shut down in the past months, including Angola, Nepal, Bangladesh, Spain, and Uganda. North Korea has said the closures are part of efforts to enhance its diplomatic efficiency.

The total number of North Korean diplomatic missions stood at 44 as of Tuesday, according to the South Korean foreign ministry website.