US concerned as 'two powder kegs' North Korea and Syria move closer together

(Baonghean.vn)- The close relationship between the world's two most complex political "powder kegs" - North Korea and Syria - is raising concerns about deeper cooperation in missile technology and chemical weapons between the two countries.

Last week, Syrian state media reported that Syrian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Rima al-Qadiri met with North Korean Ambassador Jang Myong Ho to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Mr. Jang said Pyongyang wanted to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad in reconstruction efforts.

A ceremony to name a park in Damascus after late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Photo: AP

However, North Korea's increased involvement in a country suffering from a bloody war like Syria is not a good thing for the US government, which is already concerned about the current military alliance.

Expert Jay Solomon of The Washington Institute (USA) commented that President Donald Trump's administration is increasingly concerned that "(North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un not only benefits from the more than 6-year war in Syria, but also learns from it."

North Korea’s exports of military equipment to the Arab country, including propellants for Syrian Scud missiles, as well as gas suits and masks, are believed to have been going on for years. And with its revenue now significantly affected by recent sanctions, Pyongyang is expected to continue the exports.

According to a 2016 report by the US Congressional Research Service, Syria continues to rely on support from North Korea and Iran to develop its missile programs. There are also allegations that North Korean military advisers are present in Syria, but both sides deny this.

In addition, the secretive Asian state is also believed to have assisted Syria in developing a nuclear facility, which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in 2007.

The US is concerned that North Korea and Syria are getting closer together. Photo: AP

At least two North Korean shipments to Syria’s chemical weapons program have been intercepted this year. “Nobody knows whether previous shipments from North Korea have carried chemicals or chemical weapons production equipment,” said Rod Barton, a former director of strategic technology at Australia’s Defense Intelligence Organization.

In addition, the North Korean leader is believed to possess a huge arsenal of chemical weapons, including the deadly nerve agent VX used to assassinate his half-brother last February.

“Given Syria’s unsavory alliance with North Korea, Pyongyang may have added to Syria’s chemical weapons capabilities,” Barton said.

Solomon said the North Korean dictator could “learn lessons” from President Assad’s chemical weapons attacks. “The White House will need to mobilize all its Middle Eastern and Asian allies to guard against any nuclear enrichment, even worse than the North Korean nuclear reactor being built in eastern Syria,” Solomon said./.

Lan Ha

(According to CNBC)