Uganda Alters Alliances, Turning Away from North Korea in Favor of South Korea

Uganda has announced it will halt military cooperation with North Korea, marking a significant shift in its relationship with the isolated nation. This decision comes in response to the UN Security Council's heavy sanctions imposed on North Korea in March, following the country's fourth nuclear test in January and a rocket launch in February.

The about-turn in Uganda's policy towards North Korea followed a meeting between Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. President Museveni, who has made three visits to North Korea, has promised to enforce UN Security Council resolutions.

Uganda's foreign minister, Sam Kutesa, confirmed the ending of the relationship with North Korea. The Ugandan government has already been ordered to disengage with North Korea on police and other military engagements. North Korea has sent military trainers to Uganda for many years, and the country has run training programs for Uganda's army and police since 2007.

The statement was made by Uganda's State House late on Sunday, May 29. Interestingly, on the same day, South Korean President Park visited Uganda, marking her first visit since taking power in 2013. However, there are no available search results that provide information about specific measures taken by the Ugandan government after the visit of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on May 29, 2016, related to ending military cooperation with North Korea.

It is important to note that Uganda and North Korea have had diplomatic relations since 1963. Uganda does not support nuclear proliferation, and the reason for ending the relationship is due to the UN sanctions on North Korea. North Korea is under UN sanctions for its efforts to build nuclear weapons.

The Ugandan government spokesman initially denied severing ties with North Korea, but later backtracked. This decision by Uganda is part of a growing international pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Park's visit to Uganda is also part of an East Africa tour that also includes Ethiopia and Kenya.