A Japanese daily says North Korea has ordered its diplomats who have been stationed abroad for over three years to return home.
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun said that Pyongyang has taken the measure due to incidents where North Korean diplomats bribe North Korean officials in charge of personnel affairs.
 
North Korean diplomats are known to prefer staying abroad as the living standards and educational environments are better in foreign countries.
 
A Japanese government official said summoning home the diplomats is believed to be aimed at strengthening the Kim Jong-un regime.