N. Korea Prioritizes Ties with Iran

North Korea’s Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun said relations with Iran set a top priority for Pyongyang, and stressed that his country would spare no effort to enhance ties with the Islamic Republic. Chun made the remarks in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the two-day ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on ‘Human Rights and Cultural Diversity’ in Tehran, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau reported.

During the meeting, Mottaki appreciated his counterpart for attending the Tehran meeting, and named North Korea as the conventional friend of the Islamic Republic.

He welcomed efforts made by the other side to pave the way for a visit to Tehran by Korean Leader Kim Jong Il to further expand the two countries’ mutual relations and cooperation.

The minister further noted the abundant proper grounds for the two countries’ economic and trade cooperation, and called for the two nations’ joint activity in such grounds as auto-manufacturing, mining and house construction industries as well as scientific and research projects and technical and engineering services.

Stressing Iran’s resolve to bolster cooperation with North Korea in the said areas, he viewed prospects of the two countries’ relations as clear.

For his part, the Korean foreign minister appreciated Iran’s hospitality and voiced pleasure with the successful holding of the NAM meeting by Tehran.

He noted Iran’s outstanding status in the Non-Aligned Movement, and expressed the hope that the visit to Tehran by the Korean delegation would prepare the grounds for the further expansion of mutual ties.

Pak Ui Chun underlined that his country’s officials view Iran with much respect, and said, “We have prioritized relations with Iran and we will spare no effort to enhance these ties.”

He further called for exchange of political, economic, cultural and sports delegations by the two countries, and extended an invitation to Mottaki to pay a visit to North Korea.