Relations between France and North Korea are non-existent, as the two nations have no formal diplomatic relations with one another.
North Korea is often perceived as the "Hermit kingdom", completely isolated from the rest of the world, but North Korea maintains diplomatic relations with 164 independent states. The country also has bilateral relations with the State of Palestine, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and the European Union.
France and North Korea had no relations at the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), during which a French battalion fought along the UN forces. But later, along the lines of an ambitious De Gaulle's foreign policy that aimed at more independence from the United States, some contacts were established.
Besides bilateral cooperation, France and South Korea also work together in international organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, the OECD, etc. On the matter of North Korea, France is one of the few European countries to not have official diplomatic relations with the DPRK.
Which countries cannot visit North Korea? The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea), whose citizens need special permission (from both governments).
Much like in other Soviet, socialist, or Eastern Bloc countries, North Koreans can travel abroad with permission from the government.
France is actively involved in very close defense relations with its principal European allies, the UK and Germany, as well as with the United States.
France is Germany's closest and most important partner in Europe.
South Korea has a long military alliance with the United States, aiding the U.S. in every war since the Vietnam War, including the Iraq War.
France supported the Korean War effort by contributing a frigate and a French infantry battalion - le Battalion de Corée with 3,421 volunteers soldiers in total.
They have a close special relationship and China is often considered to be North Korea's closest ally. China and North Korea have a mutual aid and co-operation treaty, signed in 1961, which is currently the only defense treaty either country has with any nation.
Korea was a Japanese colony, a territory annexed to Japan in 1910 that became part of the Japanese empire until 1945.
However, like South Korea in its military relationship with the United States, North Korea cannot ignore Russia, one of its main backers. Moscow continues to serve as an alternative option for North Korea to limit Chinese leverage over the country's political and economic isolation.
Bilaterally and through the Six-Party Talks, North Korea and Japan continue to discuss the case of Japanese citizens abducted by the North Korean government during the 1970s and 1980s, although there are no existent diplomatic relations between the two; Japan does not recognize North Korea as a sovereign state.
China entered into diplomatic relations with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Maldives in Southeast Asia and South Asia, seven countries including Iran, Turkey and Kuwait in West Asia and the Middle East and five countries in South Pacific such as Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
France and Britain are often still referred to as "historic rivals", or with emphasis on the perceived ever-lasting competition between the two countries. French author José-Alain Fralon characterised the relationship between the countries by describing the British as "our most dear enemies".
Between 1793 and 1815, under the rule of King George III, the Kingdom of Great Britain (later the United Kingdom) was the most constant of France's enemies.
Britain was the common enemy of France and America.
In 1966, due to souring relations between Washington and Paris because of the refusal to integrate France's nuclear deterrent with other North Atlantic powers, or to accept any collective form of control over its armed forces, French president Charles de Gaulle downgraded France's membership in NATO and withdrew France ...
France is one of the 12 founding members of NATO.
In 1966, France decided to withdraw from the Alliance's integrated military command. That decision in no way undermined France's commitment to the Alliance's collective defence.
France has long been celebrated as America's oldest ally, going back to 1778 when the French monarchy recognized the independence of the United States. It provided military and economic assistance during the American Revolutionary War which was crucial to the American victory.
Almost anyone can visit North Korea, with the exception of citizens of South Korea and the United States.
Since citizens cannot freely leave the country, it is mainly from stories of refugees and defectors that the nation's human rights record has been constructed.
North Korea has strict laws about what you can bring into the country. It's illegal to bring in religious, pornographic or political items. Declare all published material and electronic devices when you arrive. It's also illegal to knowingly or unknowingly possess items that breach North Korean law.