[2] It is located in the Munsu-dong diplomatic compound (in the Taedonggang District), where most of the diplomatic missions to North Korea are located, with the exception of the Russian and Chinese missions.

The former East German embassy was established at a time when North Korea relied almost exclusively on the Comecon countries, along with China, for external trade.

James Hoare was chargé d'affaires from 2001–02 until a permanent ambassador was appointed by the UK Government:[3][4] the first full-time accredited British diplomat was James Warren.

The embassy itself opened in July 2001 and the first ambassador, David Slinn, arrived in North Korea in November 2002.

This was part of the North Korean government's response to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2094 and deterioration of relations between North Korea and the United States.