Whenever North Korea and the U.S. need to engage diplomatically, or when Scandinavian tourists are experiencing mishaps, the Swedish embassy in North Korea plays a critical role.

The embassy is, however, staffed by just two diplomats and, as a recent interview one of them conducted with Swedish national radio reveals, their interactions with locals are limited and daily lives are ridden with inconveniences, frustrations and loneliness.

And even if a diplomat is passionate about helping North Koreans, and about bridging his culture and theirs, bureaucratic obstacles and mistrust consistently stand in the way.

KEPT IN THE DARK

“It’s dark. It’s