Diplomats at North Korea’s embassy in London spend their free time playing basketball and treat themselves to curries from their local takeaway, neighbours claim.
Kim Jong-un’s staff are reportedly only seen by locals in Gunnersbury Avenue when they pop out for a takeaway curry, a treat that is thought to be hard to get in the hermit state. One said: “You don’t get much from them other than a smile in the street.”
And behind the high walls of the back garden of the £2million terraced house is a basketball hoop which locals claim gets good use from the diplomats, despite supposedly installed for the ambassador’s children.
A neighbour living just a few doors away from the official embassy, who has spoken to the staff before, claims they visit the curry house around the corner and get food delivered to them “fairly regularly.”
The neighbour told The Sun: “They’re generally very nice people, they don’t cause trouble. You do get a greeting from them if you see them but they wouldn’t strike up a full blown conversation with you.”
Another neighbour, who said they barely notice the diplomats are there, said: ” The basketball hoop has been there for a while. The previous ambassador’s kids used it.
“The embassy has been there since like 2003 – I know I’ve heard the staff playing basketball before. I’ve seen a couple walking up and down as well, the minivan goes in and out quite regularly too.”
Locals living in the street in Ealing, North West London, say the presence of senior staff from the rogue state is quite amusing. Last year, the house next door to the Embassy was put on the market for £1.7million.
It was described as an “attractive original 4-bedroom detached 1920s residence with elegant accommodation” which boasted “large spacious rooms with high ceilings, period fireplace surrounds and coved ceilings.”
Maisie and Caleab Campbell, both 26, said: “There are men in black suits and I’ve seen security sometimes at the door but they just live like normal people. You wouldn’t know unless someone told you. It is funny though.”
The local postie, one of few people to see inside the building, said the same man answers the door whenever he arrives to drop off the mail, adding: “I’ve only ever delivered letters.
“He’s very quiet and doesn’t speak. Sometimes I have to get him to sign for a parcel but he doesn’t talk to me. He signs in English.”
Despite the behaviour of the diplomats, the presence of the house in the residential street has attracted protests, which have frustrated locals. A slew of TikTokers and nosey tourists have also flocked to the building, desperate to catch a glimpse inside.
Jet Khasryia, 44, said: “What I’ve noticed is there are demonstrations here every couple of months. They tend to be protesting against the ruler or complaining about family that they’ve lost, there’s a few asylum seekers who come here.
“One lady came with all her luggage and she wanted to go back to North Korea! They’ve recently put the flag up. They keep a low profile but I’ve seen a lot of people come to film.”
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