North Korean parliamentary head leaves for Iran

AFP: A North Korean delegation has left for Iran to participate in a regional parliamentary meeting, the North’s state media said Thursday. SEOUL, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – A North Korean delegation has left for Iran to participate in a regional parliamentary meeting, the North’s state media said Thursday.

The delegation led by Choe Thae-Bok, chairman of the North’s Supreme People’s Assembly, will take part in a meeting of the Asian Parliaments for Peace in Iran, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

Choe, a close confidant of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, will make an official visit to Iran after the parliamentary meeting is concluded, it said.

Lumped as part of an “axis of evil” by US President George W. Bush, North Korea and Iran have been suspected of cooperating in missile and nuclear development programs.

Iran has denounced a United Nations resolution calling for sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear test on October 9.