Britain silent on alleged repatriation of North Korea ambassador

LONDON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The British foreign office declined to confirm a successor to North Korean Ambassador Hyon Hak Bong was appointed to Pyongyang's embassy in London, or whether Hyon was summoned to return home.

Hyon, who was serving as North Korea's ambassador to Britain, may have been ordered to return to Pyongyang after the defection of the No. 2 embassy official, Thae Yong Ho, South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported.

North Korean security officials were interrogating Hyon regarding the circumstances surrounding Thae's defection. Hyon may return to Pyongyang in October and the ambassador is likely to be held accountable for Thae's exit, according to the report.

London's foreign office refused Tuesday to confirm reports of new diplomatic appointments for a successor, South Korean news service No Cut News reported.

A British official told Radio Free Asia it has never issued statements on new appointments being received in London, nor has it confirmed whether Hyon was summoned back to his home country.

Hyon was appointed to the ambassadorship in 2011. He also served as the North Korean foreign ministry's deputy director for its U.S. bureau and worked at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in New York.

In North Korea, border surveillance has been augmented in the aftermath of Thae's defection, according to TV Chosun.

The South Korean news network also reported Hyon's successor is of a military background.