The British newspaper, The Telegraph, ran an article on Thursday titled, “North Korea 'backs Scottish independence."

Pyongyang’s officials are “quietly” backing the Yes vote for Scotland, according to the story, which quotes Choe Kwan-il, the managing editor of Tokyo-based North-Korea affiliated Choson Sinbo newspaper.

"I think that independence would be a very positive thing for Scotland," said Mr. Choe, whose newspaper had not yet reported on the vote.

Does that amount to the stamp of approval from Pyongyang? Almost certainly not, experts say.