Following initial progress in North Korea–South Korea relations, North Korea and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations on 12 December 2000, opening resident embassies in London and Pyongyang.
The United Kingdom provides English language and human rights training to DPRK officials, urging the North Korean government to allow a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, and it oversees bilateral humanitarian projects in North Korea.
Edited version of the British Film, Bend It Like Beckham was broadcast on North Korean state television on the 26th of December 2010, Boxing Day.
The British Ambassador to South Korea, Martin Uden, said it was the “first ever Western made film to air on television” in North Korea.
On the 5 April 2013, the North Korean government advised the British Embassy, and all other missions, that the safety of their missions could not be assured past 10 April 2013.
This was part of the North Korean government’s response to UN Resolution 2094 and deterioration of North Korean relations with South Korea and the United States.
In August 2016, the Deputy Ambassador of North Korea to the United Kingdom, Thae Yong-ho, defected to South Korea with the assistance of British SIS officials.
