North Korea closed several embassies in different countries last year, including the one in Senegal. An American media reporter accidentally entered this abandoned embassy, giving a rare glimpse into its interior layout.
According to Radio Free Asia, due to international sanctions leading to a shortage of funds, North Korea closed seven embassies around the world last year, one of which was located in the capital of Senegal, Dakar.
A reporter from the Korean department of the radio station who was in Dakar for other reporting purposes unexpectedly visited the now abandoned and soon-to-be-demolished former North Korean embassy, providing a rare opportunity to understand how North Koreans live abroad.
For overseas North Korean laborers, life is often very difficult. They are far away from their families for long periods of time, and 80% of their income is required to be handed over to the government. They are forced to surrender their passports and are susceptible to abuse.
However, Ryu Hyun-woo, the former North Korean Charge d’Affaires to Kuwait currently residing in South Korea, said in an interview with the radio station that in some cases, despite North Korean laborers being closely monitored while living overseas, they have greater freedom and material comforts.
Images captured by the reporter from the Korean department of the radio station show that the former North Korean embassy in Dakar is a two-story white building with a swimming pool, a rooftop terrace, and a large room for receiving guests.
The reporter mentioned that local real estate agents guided them on a tour of the interior. They were quite shocked when the agents agreed to let them visit the embassy.
Inside the embassy, they saw some trash, including packaging from Chinese instant noodles and an empty DVD case. They also noticed a North Korean calendar hanging on the wall.
Ryu Hyun-woo mentioned that even though North Korean calendars may contain words or images related to the Kim family, they are not considered portraits. North Korea’s propaganda department may secretly install listening devices in items like mobile phones, but not in calendars.
The reporters noticed a notice on the wall listing some threats that may arise from mixing certain foods. For example, consuming beef and spinach together could cause stomach pain; pork and raw ginger could lead to a sore throat.
Ryu Hyun-woo stated that he also created a similar food list during his time in Kuwait before defecting.
He said, “Since we are not always familiar with the types of food in places like Senegal or whether they suit our tastes, it is wise to understand which foods should not be consumed together.”
He added, “When you are overseas, you feel more freedom. You can go online, use social media, and go shopping. Look, they purchased Chinese instant noodles.”
He further mentioned that living abroad gives a true sense of freedom. If you were to ask people residing overseas what they like the most, most would probably say “freedom.”