Will the US attack on Iran push North Korea even closer to Russia and China?

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Seong Hyeon ChoiMarch 7, 2026 at 04:00 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Analysts suggest a potential US attack on Iran could drive North Korea to strengthen ties with Russia and China while accelerating its nuclear weapons program for self-defense. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently oversaw the test firing of a "strategic cruise missile" from the new naval destroyer Choe Hyon, emphasizing the country's commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities. Kim stated that North Korea is making significant progress in developing a powerful navy equipped with nuclear-capable systems, marking a substantial shift in maritime defense. He views any opposition to North Korea's defense build-up as an act of enmity. The development and testing of these weapons are seen as a means to protect North Korea's maritime sovereignty.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Korean Central News Agency 50% Choe Hyon 60% Russia 70% China 70% Iran 70% United States 80% Kim Jong-un ×290% North Korea ×290%

Keywords

north korea 100% nuclear weapons 80% deterrence capabilities 70% us attack on iran 70% china 60% russia 60% strategic cruise missile 50% sea-defence capability 50% naval destroyer 40%