Bizarre North Korea embassy in London that's literally just a house

22 December 2023 , 13:44

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The North Korean embassy in west London (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Hidden on an unassuming road in west London, you'll be forgiven for completely missing North Korea's London embassy.

The building was bought by the North Korean government in 2003, and is based on the suburban district of Ealing - right opposite a tennis club.

The house is encased inside a residential wall and hedges, and its only distinguishing factor is a large flag pole on the corner of the drive.

Its front door is illuminated by a heavy-duty flood light on the side of the house, and a large plaque sites directly above the double doors.

Other than that, you'd be forgiven for not batting an eyelid at the strange embassy - especially considering other embassies in the UK's capital are characterised by grand buildings in the Kensington district.

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The embassy is based in Ealing, west London (Getty Images)

The North Korean embassy is located at 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, and is the official residence of the Ambassador of North Korea to the United Kingdom; currently Choe Il.

There have been four ambassadors living at the property since it was bought 20 years ago.

The property was bought for a reported £1.3million in 2003 (PA)

The first was Ri Yong-ho, who was appointed on September 5 2003. He spent three years in the post, working with the British Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair.

Ja Song-nam took over the role in 2006, and lasted five years in London. He would later become North Korea's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The embassy rarely opens its doors to the public (AFP via Getty Images)

Ja was succeeded by Hyon Hak-bong in 2011, and then Choe Il in 2016. Choe was Kim Jong-un's first Ambassador to the UK.

As for the embassy itself, it holds an impressive seven bedrooms, but is largely otherwise kept secretive. It held an art exhibition in November 2014 which gave a slight hint at its interior design, however.

The embassy holds an impressive seven bedrooms (Getty Images)

Wooden flooring is combined with impressive white, shiny tiles, while rooms are separated by large, double white doors. The ceilings are also lined with beautiful cornices.

It's believed the property was bought for a staggering £1.3million by the North Korean government in 2003.

Matt Atherton