Iran denies nuclear cooperation with N. Korea

The Iranian Embassy in Seoul claimed Tehran has indigenous technology for a peaceful nuclear program, saying it is opposed to the development of nuclear weapons.

“Iran’s nuclear technology is completely domestically made, thus no foreign experts are needed,” the embassy said in an e-mail statement.

The statement came one day after Yonhap news agency reported that hundreds of North Korean nuclear and missile experts have been collaborating with Iranian counterparts in more than 10 locations across the Islamic state.

Yonhap quoted a diplomatic source with access to intelligence on the years-long weapons collaboration between Pyongyang and Tehran. The source has a track record of accurate information.

Still, the embassy said it “categorically rejects such allegations,” calling the report a “sheer lie and blatant accusation” against Iran.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog has recently expressed “serious concerns” of possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program.

The IAEA said in its report last week that it believes Iran “has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device” under a “structured program” until 2003, and “some activities may still be ongoing.” 

(Yonhap News)