Four new North Korean ambassadorial appointments have either begun – or are about to begin – their diplomatic tenures in Africa in January, according to a number of state media reports this month.

The countries in which the new appointments have arrived include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Libya, and Egypt.

Kim Myong Sik and Ri Chong Gyong met with and presented their credentials to presidents Joseph Kabila and Alpha Condé of the DRC and Guinea on January 24 and 26, respectively, while Ju Jin Hyok – the new Ambassador to Libya – presented his credentials to Fayez al-Serraj, prime