List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to North Korea
Encyclopedia
The British Ambassador to North Korea is in charge of the United Kingdom
's diplomatic mission
to North Korea
. The official title is "Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (DPRK).
was appointed British Chargé d'affaires
in Pyongyang
; and his work laid the foundation for the establishment of a full embassy in the North Korean capital.
The British Embassy in Pyongyang opened in July 2001.
David Slinn
was the first British Ambassador; and he arrived in Pyongyang in November 2002.
Ambassador Peter Hughes
presented his credentials to the North Korean government in September 2008. Formally, the Head of State of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains the Eternal President Kim Il Sung, and it is to him that Ambassadors would expect to present their credentials. But Kim Il Sung died in 1994 so that Ambassadors normally present their credentials to Kim Yong Nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, who acts as Kim Il Sung's representative on Earth on such occasions.
Hughes' successor will be Karen Wolstenholme
, who is scheduled to take up her new duties in July 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's diplomatic mission
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. The official title is "Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (DPRK).
History
After Britain and North Korea re-established diplomatic relations in 2000, James HoareJames Hoare
James Edward Hoare is a British academic and historian specializing in Chinese and Korean studies, and a career diplomat in the British Foreign Office.-Academia:Dr. Hoare is a graduate of London's School of Oriental and African Studies...
was appointed British Chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
in Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
; and his work laid the foundation for the establishment of a full embassy in the North Korean capital.
The British Embassy in Pyongyang opened in July 2001.
David Slinn
David Slinn
David Arthur Slinn CMG OBE is a British diplomat. Slinn was the first British ambassador to North Korea. Slinn was head of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team between 2007-08. He has also held posts in Geneva, Ulan Bator, Pretoria, Tirana, Belgrade, and Pristina.-External links:* *...
was the first British Ambassador; and he arrived in Pyongyang in November 2002.
Ambassador Peter Hughes
Peter Hughes (diplomat)
Peter Hughes is the current British ambassador to Pyongyang, DPRK. He took up the post in late 2008. He is to be succeeded by Karen Wolstenholme.-Controversy:...
presented his credentials to the North Korean government in September 2008. Formally, the Head of State of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains the Eternal President Kim Il Sung, and it is to him that Ambassadors would expect to present their credentials. But Kim Il Sung died in 1994 so that Ambassadors normally present their credentials to Kim Yong Nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, who acts as Kim Il Sung's representative on Earth on such occasions.
Hughes' successor will be Karen Wolstenholme
Karen Wolstenholme
Karen Wolstenholme is a career diplomat set to become the next British ambassador to Pyongyang, DPRK. She will replace Peter Hughes, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment....
, who is scheduled to take up her new duties in July 2011.
Ministers to Korea
- Sir Harry Smith ParkesHarry Smith ParkesSir Harry Smith Parkes was a 19th century British diplomat who worked mainly in China and Japan...
, 1884 - Sir John Walsham, 2nd Baronet, 1885
- Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor, 1892
- Sir Claude MacDonald, 1896
- Sir John Newell Jordan, 1898
Ambassadors to North Korea
| Name | Tenure begins |
Tenure ends |
British Monarch | Supreme leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Slinn David Slinn David Arthur Slinn CMG OBE is a British diplomat. Slinn was the first British ambassador to North Korea. Slinn was head of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team between 2007-08. He has also held posts in Geneva, Ulan Bator, Pretoria, Tirana, Belgrade, and Pristina.-External links:* *... |
2002 | 2006 | Kim Jong-il Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea... |
|
| John Everard John Everard (diplomat) John Everard is a former British diplomat. He was formerly the British Ambassador to Belarus, British Ambassador to Uruguay, and British Ambassador to North Korea.-References:... |
2006 | 2008 | ||
| Peter Hughes Peter Hughes (diplomat) Peter Hughes is the current British ambassador to Pyongyang, DPRK. He took up the post in late 2008. He is to be succeeded by Karen Wolstenholme.-Controversy:... |
2008 | 2011 | ||
| Karen Wolstenholme | 2011 |
See also
- United Kingdom-Korea Treaty of 1883United Kingdom-Korea Treaty of 1883The United Kingdom-Korea Treaty of 1883 was negotiated between representatives of the United Kingdom and Korea.-Background:In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on the Korean capital city...
- List of diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom
- List of diplomatic missions in North Korea
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to South Korea