Russia has appointed a new ambassador to North Korea following the death of its longtime envoy Alexander Matsegora, which left the post vacant for nearly eight months, official documents show.

President Vladimir Putin tapped Russia’s ambassador to Nigeria Andrei Podelyshev to serve as the country’s ambassador to the DPRK on Tuesday, according to an official decree.

In a separate decree, Putin also relieved Podelyshev of his duties as Russia’s top envoy to the African country, a position he had held since Dec. 2024. It remains unclear when the diplomat will actually assume his post in Pyongyang.

Despite his