North Korea–Singapore relations

North Korea–Singapore relations

North Korea	Singapore

North Korea–Singapore relations are bilateral relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) and Singapore (Republic of Singapore).

Singapore and the DPRK established diplomatic relations on 8 November 1975. The DPRK maintains an embassy in Singapore while the latter has accredited an non-resident ambassador to Pyongyang from Beijing. The current DPRK ambassador to Singapore is Jong Song Il.

Relationships between the two countries are warm and friendly if not active at the official level. However, there is some trade and investment in DPRK from Singapore, especially with consumer goods.

DPRK citizens can enter Singapore visa-free. Singaporeans holding a normal passport can also obtain this visa waiver for both business and tourism after obtaining authorization from the North Korean government, allowing themselves to visit North Korea for a period of up to 30 days without a visa. North Koreans occasionally travel to Singapore for medical treatment.

International organizations

The DPRK and Singapore both belong to the Non-Aligned Movement, with Singapore joining in 1970, and the DPRK in 1976. The DPRK has also been a participant at the ASEAN Regional Forum since 2000, which is organized by ASEAN, of which Singapore is a founding member. The DPRK foreign minister traditionally visits Singapore after or before every ARF meeting.

Official visits

The DPRK has organized official visits semi-regularly to Singapore, often in conjunction with visits to other Southeast Asian countries. In 2014, Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong visited Singapore. In 2012, the President of the DPRK's Supreme People’s Assembly, visited Singapore. Other DPRK elites that have visited includes Kim Jong Un’s family members Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong-Chul, and Jang Sung Taek (deceased), as well as other key government figures, such as Pak Nam Gi (deceased).

Singapore’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, visited the DPRK in 2008. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan visited DPRK in 2006 and 2008.

Economic training

North Koreans also frequently visit Singapore for training programs on economic policy, entrepreneurship and law largely through Singapore-based non-governmental organization Choson Exchange’s programs. North Koreans have a positive view of Singapore’s economic development and its political stability. Choson Exchange is a Singapore-based NGO focused on supporting entrepreneurship in North Korea. From 2011 to 2016, the organization brought over 100 North Koreans to the country. Choson Exchange was founded by a Singaporean, Geoffrey See.

Relief work

Singapore-based disaster relief group Mercy Relief has conducted relief work in North Korea in 2012, following flooding in the country. The organization donated US$200, 000 worth of relief supplies following an appeal from the DPRK Ambassador to Singapore.

Economic relations

Various businesspeople from Singapore have expressed interest in the DPRK market if it opens up, and North Korea has made attempts to court Singaporean businesspeople. In 2008, the Singapore Business Federation inked a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate business exchanges with the DPRK. In 2010, Singapore ranked as North Korea’s 10th largest trade partner, with Singapore accounting for 2% of North Korea’s trade, and 6.5% of North Korea’s trade deficit.

There is a visible Singaporean influence in Korean consumption in the capital: beer, soft drinks and other processed foods are imported from Singapore; supermarkets and fast food restaurants have been set up by Singaporean businesspeople.