Bilateral Relations
Nepal and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) established diplomatic relations on 15 May1974. The residential Embassy of the DPRK established in Kathmandu in the same year. Nepali Embassy in Beijing is concurrently accredited to DPRK. The relations between Nepal and DPRK have remained cordial and friendly. Nepal follows the development in DPR Korea and on Korean Peninsula with interest. Nepal has a longstanding supportive position for the peaceful reunification of Korea as per the will of the Korean people. Nepal has the earnest wish to see peace, unity and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
Exchange of Visits
From Nepali side Late Prime Ministers Tanka P. Acharya and Mr.Kirti Nidhi Bista paid separate visits to the DPRK on different occasions. The then Minister for Information and Communication Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara visited DPRK in September 2008.
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Maskey, then non-resident Ambassador of Nepal to the DPRK attended the function of the Victory Day on 27thJuly 2013 in Pyongyang. Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey had held meeting with H.E. Mr. Sui Yong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of DPRK in New York on the sideline of 69th United Nations General Assembly. H.E. Mr. Leela Mani Poudel, Ambassador of Nepal to China, presented letter of credentials as Non-residential Ambassador of Nepal to DPRK in July 2017. From the DPRK side, Member of Supreme Assembly and Chairwomen of People’s Committee, Pyongsong City of DPRK, Ms.An Myong Ok visited Nepal in July 2014.
Cooperation and Agreements
The MoU on Joint Consultation Mechanism between Foreign Ministries of two countries was signed in 2001. A Nepal-DPRK Parliamentarian Friendship Group was established in 2002. There exists a number of bilateral agreements between Nepal and DPRK for cooperation in the fields of trade, irrigation, culture and information. Tilganga Eye hospital has been extending training courses to DPRK eye specialists in Nepal and many DPRK doctors have been benefitted from this training course each year.
Trade and Investment
Nepal and DPRK signed Bilateral Trade Agreement on 11 December 1970. Of late, there are three projects under DPRK investment in Nepal with an investment amount of Rs. 32 million.
Culture
Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Pyongyang of DPRK have established sister-city relations in November 2001. Similarly, Bhaktapur Municipality of Nepal and Pyongsong City of South Pyongan Province of DPRK signed an agreement on establishment of the friendly relations between two cities on 19 July 2014 in Bhaktapur.