Deputy FM: Russia has no plans to evacuate embassy staff from North Korea

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but has no plans to evacuate embassy staff from North Korea. “Naturally, we seriously respond to what is going on in the region and we are concerned over mounting tensions and simmering standoff,” Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. “I would like to hope that the sides will show necessary restraint and will prevent further escalation of tensions.” “Our embassy continues to work in a normal mode,” he said noting that other countries’ embassies in Pyongyang operate as usual. On April 5 North Korea’s Foreign Ministry recommended embassies of Russia and other countries to evacuate their staff amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.