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Diplomatic Shift
North Korea is quietly distancing itself from longtime ally Iran, South Korean lawmakers told parliament.
“North Korea had not sent weapons or supplies to Iran, nor issued public condolences upon the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei”
Pyongyang has neither provided weapons to Iran nor issued public condolences following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
North Korea also sent no congratulatory message when Khamenei's son was selected as the new supreme leader.
The NIS assessed this restraint as preparation to secure new diplomatic space after an anticipated May summit between Xi Jinping and Trump.
At North Korea's Workers’ Party Congress in February, Kim Jong Un signaled a potential opening for talks with Washington.
Economic Strain
The NIS warned that North Korea is facing mounting economic pressures linked to the Middle East crisis.
North Korea was trying to secure Russian oil supplies.
Despite upticks in anti-US rhetoric, analysts see Pyongyang's measured response as a balancing act.