Unlike other major countries in the world, Bulgaria does not officially recognize North Korea as a country. In the international community, relations between the two nations remain very limited. While Bulgaria has had diplomatic missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, where representatives regularly meet North Korean representatives, there has never been an official diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party, Alexander Lilov, made an official visit to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, in December 1991. This was the first visit of a head of state to North Korea. Lilov was then followed by Prime Minister Zhan Videnov in October 1996 and by newly elected Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev in February 2008. However, official statements made by successive Bulgarian governments reveal that Bulgaria has had no official ties with North Korea since then.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of exchanges between the two countries over the years. In 2014, for example, a joint Bulgarian-Czech aircraft leasing company approached the North Korean government in an attempt to sell them aircraft for use by their national airline, Air Koryo. Similarly, Bulgaria has donated medical equipment, medicines, and other humanitarian aid to North Korea in the past. According to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, this aid was intended to promote economic development in North Korea.
However, most analysts agree that these exchanges have not been sufficient to build a solid relationship between the two countries. While Bulgaria has been a vocal supporter of international sanctions against North Korea, and has refrained from further investments in the country, Bulgaria is not considered a major player in North Korean diplomacy.
From a Bulgarian perspective, there are several reasons why the country remains reluctant to engage with North Korea. Firstly, Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, and has to adhere to the EU’s policies with regard to North Korea, including the imposition of economic sanctions. Secondly, Bulgaria is a small and relatively poor country, and does not have the resources or diplomatic clout necessary to forge a strong relationship with North Korea. Finally, there are concerns about the human rights situation in North Korea, which has led to international condemnation from the European Union, the United States, and other countries.
North Korean Personalities in Bulgaria
In spite of the uncertainty surrounding Bulgaria’s relationship with North Korea, several well-known North Korean personalities have lived in Bulgaria for extended periods of time. Hong Sen Jip, the son-in-law of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, studied at the American University in Bulgaria. In addition, he is reported to have been a regular visitor to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast in recent years.
Furthermore, North Korean students also enroll in Bulgaria’s universities to pursue higher education. Every year, the Bulgarian government grants dozens of scholarships to North Korean citizens, allowing them to study in the country’s top universities. In addition, the Bulgarian Embassy in Pyongyang provides visas for North Korean citizens for business, study, and other purposes.
Overall, Bulgaria’s relationship with North Korea is difficult to define. On the one hand, the country engages in occasional exchanges with North Korea and is often willing to provide assistance, while on the other hand, it remains a vocal supporter of international sanctions and has refrained from further investments in the country.
Economical Interests
Despite being largely silent on issues related to North Korea, Bulgaria has certain economic interests in the country. The Bulgarian government has often expressed interest in partnering with North Korean firms to promote trade between the two countries. One such partnership is between the Bulgarian telecommunications firm Top Telecom and North Korea’s Korea Yanggang Trading Corporation. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in 2015, allowing for the exchange of goods and services between the two countries.
In addition, Bulgaria has shown interest in participating in the joint Russian-Chinese-North Korean plan for the development of infrastructure in North Korea. Through this plan, Bulgaria could gain access to North Korean markets, allowing it to increase its economic activity in the region. However, the Bulgarian government has yet to make any official statement regarding its participation in this plan.
Moreover, Bulgaria is one of the few countries in the world that has direct access to the North Korean gold mining market. This access has been made possible due to the presence of VTP, a Bulgarian mining company, in North Korea. As of now, VTP operates a gold mine in the province of Yanggang and is looking to expand its presence in the country.
Business Opportunities
Given the international sanctions imposed on North Korea, Bulgarian companies have an opportunity to gain a competitive edge by investing in the North Korean economy. Furthermore, North Korea’s economic liberalization efforts are opening up more business opportunities in the country. For instance, North Korea is now allowing foreign companies to engage in recreational activities in the country. From skiing and water sports to golfing and beach leisure, several foreign firms are exploring the viability of investing in North Korea’s lucrative tourist industry.
In addition, Bulgaria could benefit from the ongoing efforts to connect North Korea to the global economy. For instance, North Korea is now connected to some global satellite services, allowing Bulgarian companies to access the country’s vast markets. Furthermore, North Korea’s increasing access to the global internet has opened the way for Bulgarian companies to market their products and services to North Korean consumers.
Furthermore, the North Korean government is making efforts to increase the efficiency of its agricultural sector and reduce its dependence on imports. As a result, there is a strong demand for agricultural technology and services in North Korea. Bulgarian companies such as Agrotechnika, which specialize in the production of agricultural machinery, could benefit from the demand for such technology.
Geopolitical Factors
To further complicate matters, Bulgaria’s relationship with North Korea is governed by geopolitics. For instance, the country’s ties with China, the United States, and Russia all influence its approach towards North Korea. For example, Bulgaria’s strong ties with Russia have resulted in it being a vocal critic of US efforts to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear weapons program. Similarly, Bulgaria’s ties with China, a key ally of North Korea, also influence its stance towards Pyongyang.
Likewise, Bulgaria’s ongoing efforts to join NATO have also had an impact on its relationship with North Korea. Under NATO’s guidelines, Bulgaria must adhere to the organization’s policies on North Korea, which include adherence to international sanctions. In addition, Bulgaria has to be mindful of its relations with South Korea, especially in the context of the Korean peace process. As of now, Bulgaria has adopted a wait-and-see approach to the situation in the Korean peninsula.
International Sanctions
Finally, Bulgaria is a vocal supporter of international sanctions against North Korea. Despite the numerous economic and geopolitical interests it has in North Korea, Bulgaria has consistently supported UN sanctions against the country. In 2017, for instance, Bulgaria voted in favor of a UN Security Council resolution for tougher sanctions on North Korea. Similarly, the Bulgarian government has made numerous statements condemning North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and other human rights abuses.
Nevertheless, Bulgaria has not taken any major action against North Korea, such as imposing additional sanctions or freezing North Korean assets in the country. This reluctance is partially due to the fact that Bulgaria itself is subject to international sanctions, as a result of its strained relationship with Russia. As a result, Bulgaria is unwilling to take further action against North Korea, as it fears that additional sanctions could lead to retaliatory measures.
Overall Analysis
In conclusion, Bulgaria’s relationship with North Korea remains largely undefined. On the one hand, the country engages in limited exchanges with North Korea and is a vocal supporter of international sanctions. On the other hand, it has certain economic and geopolitical interests in the country, which it is hesitant to pursue due to various factors.
That being said, the two countries have had at least some level of engagement for several decades now. Bulgarian universities continue to host North Korean students, Bulgarian firms have established business ties with North Korean partners, and the Bulgarian government has donated medical supplies and other aid to North Korea in the past.
Ultimately, it is clear that Bulgaria’s relationship with North Korea is complex and ever-evolving. As such, it is difficult to predict what the future holds for the two nations.
