North Korea–Palestine relations

North Korea-Palestine relations

Map indicating locations of North Korea and Palestine
North Korea	Palestine

North Korea–Palestine relations refers to the bilateral relations between both North Korea and Palestine.

Political relations

North Korea's relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization began during the 1970s. Both Kim Il-sung and Yasser Arafat had a very close relationship and North Korean aid to the Palestinians was increased. North Korea has regarded Israel as an "imperialist satellite"^[1] and recognizes the sovereignty of Palestine over all territory held by Israel. North Korean support for the PLO began in the 1970s and it included the supply of small amounts of arms and military aid. North Korean arms in the Middle East included aid to several leftist factions and revolutionary movements such as the PLO and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. North Korean arms and aid to Palestinian factions continued until the opening up of China under Deng Xiaoping and political reforms in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev during the 1980s. After the fall of the Soviet Union, North Korean involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict declined and North Korea shifted from exporting of revolution to pragmatism.^[2] Since then North Korea has continued to support the Palestinian cause and has strongly condemned every Israeli aggression in the region. During the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict North Korea harshly condemned Israeli actions. A Foreign Ministry spokesman denounced the killing of unarmed civilians and called it a crime against humanity as well as a threat to the Middle East Peace Process.^[3] On the floor of the UN General Assembly the North Korean permanent representative Sin Son-ho said that North Korea "fully supported Palestinians’ struggle to expel Israeli aggressors from their Territory and restore their right to self-determination."^[4] After the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid the North Korean Foreign Ministry called the attack a "crime against humanity" which was perpetrated under the guidance of the United States. The North Korean statement also expressed full support for the self-determination of the Palestinian Arabs.^[5]

See also

• Foreign relations of North Korea
• Foreign relations of Palestine

References

1. ^ Haggard, M (1965). "North Korea's International Position" (in English). Asian Survey (California, United States: University of California Press) 5 (8): 375–388. ISSN 00044687. OCLC 48536955. 
2. ^ North Korea-Relations with the Third World
3. ^ "DPRK denounces Israel for bombarding Gaza". News.xinhuanet.com. 2008-12-30. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/30/content_10581934.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-19. 
4. ^ UNGA10807
5. ^ News From Korean Central News Agency Of Dprk. Kcna.co.jp. Retrieved on 2010-06-19.