N Korea, Iran 'jointly working on weapons'

The Daily Telegraph

North Korea and Iran are jointly working on weapons programmes designed to build a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, a leading British security think-tank has said.

According to a study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), North Korea's weapons programmes are now benefiting from Iranian technology. In return, Pyongyang is supplying technology to Iran's uranium enrichment programme that would allow it to increase its output.

The disclosure marks a disturbing escalation in the race for nuclear weapons technology by the two states which are seen to present the biggest threat to global security.

IISS expert on weapons proliferation Mark Fitzpatrick said the North possessed a technological edge over Iran in making nuclear equipment. It was capable of manufacturing high strength steel that Iran has been unable to manufacture. Iran has instead relied on less reliable carbon fibre materials.

"What previously had been a one-way flow of North Korean nuclear sales to Iran is now going two ways," Mr Fitzpatrick said. "North Korea may be self-sufficient in its uranium programme and there are some areas where Iran can't produce equipment that North Korea has the capacity to produce."

The emergence of a North Korean "comparative advantage" over Iran in uranium enrichment has caught experts by surprise. Iran has been working for 20 years on manufacturing advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium to weapons grade. However, North Korea has make the breakthrough to produce advanced machines where Iran had failed.

Leader Kim Jong Il has said he would pass power to his son Kim Jong Un, who lacks military experience, in an open-ended transition that has increased uncertainty in surrounding countries.

The IISS said the danger that the regime could unravel should not be ignored.