North Korea's Embassy Closures Spark Speculation of Financial Troubles

North Korea is shutting down multiple embassies around the world, leading South Korean observers to speculate that it is due to financial difficulties caused by strengthened international sanctions. The closures include embassies in Angola, Uganda, Spain, and Hong Kong. North Korean embassies are known to rely on their own sources of income, often illegal, to support themselves and provide funds to the regime. This move reflects the North's struggle to maintain diplomatic relationships with its traditional allies amid its challenging economic situation.