North Korea sends a delegation to Iran in an effort to break its diplomatic isolation
- In Reports
- 08:42 PM, Apr 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
North Korea's state media reported on April 24 that a high-level economic delegation from North Korea was en route to Iran, marking the first known talks between the two countries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the banner of a "new Cold War," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is advocating for increased cooperation with nations that are in opposition to the United States. This shift comes as North Korea's heightened weapons testing has led to expanded military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea. Pyongyang's delegation headed by Yun Jung Ho, North Korea's Minister of External Economic Relations, departed on April 23 for a visit to Iran. However, further details were not immediately provided by state media.
It's noteworthy that both Pyongyang and Tehran are among the few governments globally that have expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, both countries have faced accusations of supplying military equipment to Russia.
The most recent instance of North Korea dispatching senior officials to Iran was in August 2019. The delegation, led by Pak Chol Min, who served as the vice chair of Pyongyang's rubber-stamp parliament, undertook a weeklong visit. At that time, North Korea and Iran maintained active diplomatic exchanges.
However, North Korea subsequently closed its borders in an attempt to prevent the spread of the pandemic, effectively halting such exchanges. The borders were cautiously reopened in 2023, signaling a potential resumption of diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
The South Korean Unification Ministry, responsible for handling affairs with North Korea, refrained from providing immediate comments on Yun's visit to Iran. North Korea has been actively seeking to strengthen its relationships with Russia and China in recent months. Kim Jong Un has been striving to alleviate the country's diplomatic isolation and align itself with a united front against the United States.
In 2023, Kim made a significant visit to Russia's Far East, where he held a rare summit with President Putin. This summit underscored the deepening military cooperation between the two nations, including allegations of North Korea's transfers of artillery shells, missiles, and other munitions to Russia. These efforts reflect North Korea's strategic manoeuvers to expand its diplomatic reach and assert its presence on the global stage.
Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un hosted a significant meeting with Zhao Leji, a top Chinese official who holds the position of heading the ceremonial parliament and ranks third in the ruling Communist Party hierarchy. This meeting marked the highest-level interaction between North Korea and China in several years. Such engagements highlight the importance both countries place on their bilateral relationship and signal potential shifts in their diplomatic dynamics.
On April 24th, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, strongly criticised the recent U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises and affirmed that these drills would not deter North Korea's determination to strengthen its military capabilities.
Her statement comes in the wake of remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who urged the international community to remain vigilant about potential military collaboration between North Korea, Iran, and Russia. This concern arises amid allegations that Iran has supplied drones to Russia for use in the conflict in Ukraine.
Thomas-Greenfield expressed apprehension over the possibility of Iran providing weaponry to Russia, which in turn could support North Korea in its efforts to enhance its own weapons development capabilities. These statements highlight growing international apprehensions about the potential nexus between these countries in the realm of military technology and arms proliferation.
Image Source: The Economics Times
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