North Korea condems U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, but avoids escalating rhetoric

North Korea condemns U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the attack a violation of international law.

On June 23, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement through state-run media denouncing the military operation without naming specific targets. The statement marked a tempered but clear expression of concern, reflecting Pyongyang’s sensitivity to U.S. military actions against countries it considers allies.

North Korea said the U.S. had “blatantly trampled on the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state,” and accused Washington of violating the U.N. Charter and global legal norms. However, Pyongyang stopped short of issuing a high-level statement or escalating rhetoric, a move analysts interpret as a strategic decision to avoid provoking further confrontation.

In its statement, North Korea also criticized Israel and the broader Western-led order, blaming them for escalating tensions in the Middle East. It described the regional instability as the “inevitable result” of Israel’s expansionist policies and the West’s tolerance and encouragement of them.

Calling for an international response, Pyongyang urged the global community to “raise a unified voice” in condemning both the U.S. and Israel’s actions. The tone, while critical, remained relatively restrained, reflecting what analysts see as a “low-key” posture in the early stages of its response.

North Korea has closely monitored the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, mainly through indirect coverage quoting Russian, Iranian, and Lebanese sources. According to experts, Pyongyang is likely to use the U.S. strikes in Iran to reinforce the legitimacy of its own nuclear weapons policy.

Lim Eul-chul, professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, noted that the strike could serve as justification for North Korea’s strategy prioritizing nuclear development and regime security. He added that Pyongyang may deepen military ties with Russia and harden its stance on inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations with Washington.

The Iran strike is expected to accelerate North Korea-Russia military cooperation, particularly under the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed in June 2024. The agreement, which covers economic and military collaboration, provides a framework for closer ties amid rising tensions with the U.S. and its allies.

Supporting this analysis, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Moscow will expand defense partnerships with allied nations, including weapons development, joint training, and turnkey facility construction. Although North Korea was not named directly, experts believe it is a likely beneficiary.

Experts warn that Israel’s use of advanced F-35 fighter jets and drones in its strike on Iran has likely underscored for Pyongyang the importance of technological superiority. Lim suggests that North Korea may now intensify efforts to upgrade its air defense systems, potentially with Russian technical and material support.

BY CHUNG YEONGGYO    [chung.yeonggyo@joongang.co.kr]