Relationship dossier
Hungary
North Korea
Relationship assessment
Formal ties persist amid a history of diplomatic strain and limited bilateral engagement.
Hungary toward North Korea
-15Hungary established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1989, straining its relationship with North Korea, and later closed its embassy in Pyongyang. As an EU member, Hungary also applies EU sanctions on North Korea.
North Korea toward Hungary
-20North Korea reacted negatively to Hungary's establishment of diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1989, recalling its ambassador, according to accounts of the period. The extent of subsequent bilateral engagement is unclear.
Overall relationship
-15The relationship has formal diplomatic ties but a history of strain following Hungary's 1989 opening to South Korea. Hungary's embassy closure and the limited scope of known bilateral engagement point to a thin relationship rather than a sustained partnership.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Hungary and North Korea have maintained formal diplomatic relations, but their relationship was strained when Hungary established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1989. Hungary later closed its embassy in Pyongyang, and current bilateral cooperation appears limited. Hungary also applies international sanctions on North Korea, although those measures are not specific to the bilateral relationship.
Areas of tension
- Hungary's establishment of diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1989 strained relations with North Korea.
Key developments
Hungary established diplomatic relations with South Korea, prompting a negative North Korean response and straining Hungary's ties with North Korea.
Hungary closed its embassy in Pyongyang.
Major uncertainties
- The circumstances and timing of North Korea's response to Hungary's 1989 relations with South Korea are unclear.
- The scope of current diplomatic contact and any active bilateral arrangements is uncertain.