How Israel-Iran conflict hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

With lessons drawn from Ukraine and now Iran, Pyongyang’s commitment to its ‘irreversible’ nuclear status is firmer than ever, analysts say

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North Korea test-fires a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in October last year. Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP

Published: 8:00am, 19 Jun 2025Updated: 9:27am, 19 Jun 2025

As missiles fly in the Middle East and the world’s attention fixes on Israel vs Iran, the shock waves are being felt in Pyongyang – where North Korea’s leaders, ever watchful, see yet another reason to cling to their nuclear arsenal.

While views differ on precisely how Pyongyang is reading the escalating conflict, observers are united on one point: if there is ever to be a chance of drawing North Korea back to the table for denuclearisation talks, the diplomatic door must remain ajar.

Since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran on June 13, hardliners in the US Congress, Israeli officials and exiled Iranian dissidents have ramped up calls to topple Tehran’s clerical leadership, arguing for the exploitation of internal unrest to unseat Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime.

But in Pyongyang, observers say the lesson is viewed through a singular prism: survival.

“North Korea has always pointed to the fate of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein as justification for never giving up its nuclear weapons,” said Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University.

It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons

Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies

“It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons,” he warned.

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