Embassy of Russia, Pyongyang

In 1948, following North Korea's independence, the Soviet Union immediately recognized them and established diplomatic relations. Soon afterwards, the embassy became a place where the Soviets discussed with the North Koreans about the military capabilities of the South Koreans and Americans,^[1] likely so that they could assess the practicality of ending the Division of Korea by military force.

In 2020, the North Korean government forced a lockdown in the embassy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea. There were claims that the situation was so dire that the Russian delegation and their families left the country by pushing a rail cart due to the closure of rail services in the country.^[2] In September 2023, the embassy became the second embassy in North Korea that has allowed for personnel to arrive in the country, after years of lockdown.^[3] This was likely in anticipation of the 2023 North Korea-Russia summit that took place later that month.