Iran Denies North Korean Visit Amid Military Cooperation Concerns

A high-level North Korean economic delegation led by Minister of External Economic Relations Yun Jung Ho is currently visiting Iran for talks on military cooperation. This marks the first known meeting between the two countries since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why this matters: The potential military cooperation between North Korea and Iran raises concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the destabilization of regional security. This development could also have implications for the global response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as all three countries have been accused of supporting each other's military efforts.

The rare trip has sparked speculation about possible weapons cooperation between North Korea and Iran, two nations that have close ties and are under international sanctions for their weapons programs. Both countries are among the few governments that support Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and have been accused of providing Russia with military equipment.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern, stating, "We are concerned about ... the Iranians providing weapons to the Russians and the Russians also supporting efforts to help (North Korea) expand their own research into developing weapons. And certainly, that would be the case with Iran as well." view

However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed speculation of military cooperation, calling it "biased and baseless." According to the ministry, the North Korean delegation attended a trade show in Tehran and held talks with representatives of the government and private sector.

Pyongyang and Tehran have a history of close ties, having established diplomatic relations in 1973. The countries have been suspected of exchanging ballistic missile parts and technology, especially during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. The last known visit by a ranking North Korean official to Iran took place in 2019.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been pushing to build up cooperation with countries confronting the United States, as his intensified weapons tests have prompted the U.S. and South Korea to expand their military drills. Pyongyang has made efforts to boost its ties with Russia and China, with Kim visiting Russia's Far East for a rare summit with Putin in 2023 and hosting top Chinese official Zhao Leji earlier this month.

The visit of the North Korean delegation to Iran comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and concerns about the potential for increased military cooperation between North Korea, Iran, and Russia. As Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's powerful sister, declared, "We will never break our determination to build up our overwhelming and most powerful military muscle." The international community remains alert to the possibility of further weapons cooperation between these nations.

Key Takeaways

• North Korea's economic delegation visits Iran for talks on military cooperation.
• Potential weapons cooperation raises concerns about WMD proliferation and regional security.
• Both countries support Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have been accused of providing military aid.
• US Ambassador expresses concern about potential weapons cooperation between the three nations.
• Iran denies military cooperation, citing trade show and private sector talks with North Korea.