UAE ends diplomatic ties with North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme

Abu Dhabi, October 14: North Korea always threatens the United States and Japan with its nuclear weapons programme and testing of ballistic missiles. Therefore, taking a stringent action the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stopped issuing visas to North Korean nationals and terminated all the diplomatic and bilateral relations with Pyongyang.

 

The UAE on Thursday announced that it had stopped issuing visas to North Korean nationals and terminated diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. The UAE also ended the mission of its non-resident ambassador to North Korea as well as that of Pyongyang's non-resident ambassador to the UAE.

The Foreign Ministry of UAE released a statement in which it said the government is ending the mission of North Korea’s non-resident ambassador and terminating its own envoy’s services in Pyongyang. “The UAE will also stop issuing new visas or company licences to North Korean citizens,” the Ministry added.

The Foreign Minister further said, “The measures... come within the context of (the UAE‘s) obligation as a responsible member of the international community to strengthen the international will and to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and missile programs.”

Now, Abu Dhabi will also no longer grant North Korean companies authorization to work in any of the seven emirates. Several thousand North Korean workers reside in the U.S-allied Gulf region, mainly working on construction sites will also have to back to their country.

The action of UAE came after US President Donald Trump urged United Nations member states last month to isolate North Korea and pressurize Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. Tensions over North Korea's weapons programme have soared in recent months.

Importantly, the UAE announcement follows similar moves by the UAE’s Gulf Arab neighbors Qatar and Kuwait, which last month downgraded their ties with Pyongyang and ceased issuing new visas to North Korean citizens.