ERBIL, Kurdistan Region--South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has asked for Iran to help with implementation of UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea. President Park arrived in Tehran with a 236-member high-level delegation on Sunday for wide-ranging discussions with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Park asked for Iran to help with implementation of UN Security Council resolutions calling for the nuclear disarmament of the reclusive North Korea. Tehran and Pyongyang are allies and it is suspected they have worked together to develop weapons technology. “Iran seeks peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and is against the production of any types of weapons of mass destruction. We want a world free from weapons of mass destruction, especially in the Korean peninsula and the Middle East,” Rouhani said at a press conference in Tehran held jointly with Park. South Korean press reported that aides to Park expressed hope that Tehran will be able to exert pressure on North Korea, noting that Tehran has a lengthy, close relationship with that nation’s regime. The war in Yemen, the future of Syria, and Iraq’s fight against terrorism were addressed also by the two leaders, Rouhani confirmed, saying they had discussed ways to establish peace and security in the region. Delegates also discussed strengthening economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries and signed numerous Memoranda of Understanding on Monday, covering many areas, including oil, natural gas, energy, education, tourism, and health. The agreements are valued at $18 to $45 billion. Iran is being welcomed back onto the world stage following a deal with the US and other nations that includes Tehran repurposing its nuclear programs for energy only in exchange for lifting of sanctions. Prior to sanctions being imposed, South Korea was one of Iran’s main customers for oil. South Korean press states that Seoul wants to have strong connections with Iran as they hope for a Middle East economic boom. The meeting of Rouhani and Park is the first time leaders of the two nations have met since establishing diplomatic relations in 1962.
