Italy says to expel North Korea envoy over nuclear, missile tests

ROME - 2 October 2017: North Korea's ambassador to Italy will be expelled from the country in protest over Pyongyang's recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests, the Daily Mail quoted Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano as saying on Sunday.

However, Alfano also told Italian daily La Repubblica that Italy would not sever its diplomatic relations with North Korea because he said it was useful to maintain a channel of communication.

"The ambassador will have to leave Italy," Alfano said.

"We want to impress on Pyongyang that isolation is inevitable if they don't change tack," he added.