Special to WorldTribune.com

By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com

SEOUL — Facing toughened international sanctions for its latest nuclear and missile programs, North Korea has reached out to another blacklisted rogue state for a possible weapons-for-oil deal.

Pyongyang recently sent an energy delegation led by Crude Oil Industry Minister Pae Hak to Iran, which holds the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves but is under U.S.-led sanctions for its own nuclear weapons program.

Closer ties between the two states have touched off concerns in Seoul and Washington because they have had a long history of collaboration in nuclear weapons and long-range missiles development.

The deal could complicate global efforts to impede their weapons programs and proliferation activities.

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  Iran nuclear weapons program, North Korea approaches Iran for possible weapons-for-oil deal, Pae Hak