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Mali–North Korea relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Mali and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea. Neither country maintains an embassy in their respective capitals at the moment, although Mali formerly did so in Pyongyang, and North Korea the same in Bamako. A North Korean ambassador is still accredited to Mali, and based in Conakry, Guinea.

Keïta government
Mali was among the first of Africa's countries that was approached by the DPRK. In the Summer of 1961, North Korean officials on tour through Africa signed an agreement on trade and cultural relations with the African socialist and pan-Africanist government of Modibo Keïta. Diplomatic relations between Mali and the DPRK were opened on 29 August 1961. That same Summer, North Korean officials on tour through Africa signed a trade agreement with the African socialist and pan-Africanist government of Modibo Keïta. Mali's Minister of the Interior, Madeira Keita (judged by the Central Intelligence Agency to lead the radical pro-Soviet wing of the Sudanese Union – African Democratic Rally) visited Pyongyang the same year. starting his tour on 30 September. In October the two states produced a joint communique on "Afro-Asian solidarity against US imperialism".

Relations with Mali remained close. In May 1963 and September 1964 respectively two cultural exhibitions were held in Bamako, showcasing photographs and films from the DPRK to the Malian public. In October 1964 President Keïta made a six days longs visit to Pyongyang together with his wife, meeting with Kim Il-sung. Kim Il-sung praised his Malian counterpart for "establishing a strong, independent country" and upheld the "common past, ideals and enemy" of the two nations. Keïta, on the other hand, endorsed Korean unification in accordance with the DPRK's policy. Another joint communique was released, touching a number of subjects – a demand for the withdrawal of all foreign armies from the Third world, a condemnation of Belgiums' intervention in Stanleyville during the Simba Rebellion, endorsement of various African liberation movements, support for Indonesia in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, and support for the left-wing guerrillas of the Sarawak Communist Insurgency.

Mali also received funds for the construction of new infrastructure in the capital of Bamako during the 1960s, as it did from many states aligned with either the Soviet Union or China. Aid provided to Mali also included the deployment of expert technicians, and the education (both in Mali and in North Korea) of Malians. In September 1965, the DPRK agreed to construct a ceramics factory in Bamako.

Traoré government
In 1968 the Malian government was overthrown by the country's military, and Lieutenant Moussa Traoré took power – Keïta was jailed, remaining a prisoner until his death in 1977 under suspicious circumstances. Traoré, who would remain in power until his own 1991, aligned gradually more and more towards the West, maintained Soviet ties and friendly relations with the DPRK despite this. Eager to spread it's ideology of Juche, self-reliance, the North Korean oversaw the establishment of Juche Idea study groups across the world – the first of these was formed in Mali in 1969.

In 1970, an agreement to start a 1971-1972 cultural exchange program between North Korea and Mali was signed in Bamako. Like his predecessor, Traoré likewise visited Pyongyang, going there in 1976 and 1986, meeting with Kim Il-sung. His wife, Mariam Traore, likewise visited Pyongyang in 1975.

During the 1980s there existed a North Korea–Mali Friendship Association.