Mexico expels North Korean ambassador

Mexico announced the expulsion of the North Korean ambassador to protest Pyongyang's nuclear test.

North Korean Ambassador to Mexico Kim Hyong-gil. Photo: Uni Ensenada.

The Mexican government on September 7 issued a statement describing North Korean Ambassador to Mexico Kim Hyong-gil as "persona non grata" and giving him 72 hours to leave, Reuters reported. Mexico called this action to show "total opposition" to North Korea's nuclear activities.

"North Korea's nuclear activities are a serious danger to international peace and security and represent a growing threat to countries in the region, including Mexico's allies such as South Korea and Japan," the statement said.

The administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto is not cutting diplomatic relations with North Korea, according to a Mexican Foreign Ministry official.

The decision was made after North Korea announced on September 3 that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile, marking the country's sixth nuclear test. Countries such as the US, Japan, South Korea and the United Nations have strongly condemned North Korea's actions.

Mexico typically avoids actions that could jeopardize diplomatic relations, but in recent months it has denounced the governments of North Korea and Venezuela. Faced with US President Donald Trump’s threat to scrap the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexico may be looking to support him diplomatically on issues that have little impact on Mexico City.

According to VNE