In a written statement to the U.S. broadcaster on Wednesday, the Swiss Foreign Ministry, known as the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), said its diplomatic office in Pyongyang has been "fully operational" since last Monday.
It marks the first time Switzerland has opened such a dedicated office since establishing diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1974. The office aims to restore communication channels disrupted by the closure of a separate office in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, which had been operated by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) since 1997 to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
The previous office did not serve as a formal diplomatic mission, with Switzerland's diplomatic affairs concerning North Korea handled through its embassy in Beijing.
The ministry said Switzerland has contributed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through its participation in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC), an international body established under the Korean Armistice Agreement signed on July 27, 1953 as well as through its mediation efforts. It also described Switzerland as one of the few Western countries to have maintained direct dialogue with North Korea since 2003.
It also said the Alpine country plans to look into the possibility of resuming humanitarian cooperation and related projects, but stressed that the office's opening does not signal a shift in its position on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs or its commitment to implementing international sanctions.
It added any resumption of humanitarian assistance and future projects would depend on North Korea, provided it complies with international sanctions and there are urgent needs such as helping its people.
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