North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Tied to Network of Rogue States

China suspected of being key power enabling rogue network behind the scenes

A launch test of North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile Hwasong-12 at an undisclosed location near Pyongyang, in a photo released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 30. STR/AFP/Getty Images

North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs cannot be viewed as merely the actions of a single rogue state. Many of its programs have signs of foreign financing, its technology is provided by other nations, and it is part of a network of rogue states that are collectively advancing their nuclear weapons capabilities.

The communist regime in North Korea is working closely with Iran, Syria, and Pakistan on their nuclear and chemical weapons programs. Russia and other nations have provided technology to aid their development of nuclear weapons, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has facilitated and supported the overall programs.