Cooperation between African states and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

If Africa is to promote global peace and security, this relationship should be better understood and reconsidered.

Most African states have refrained from explicitly condemning North Korea’s nuclear weapon- and delivery system-related activities as a threat to international peace and security, with only South Africa and Egypt consistently proving to be the exception. This research report examines whether this may be the result of the historical and contemporary political and economic relations that many African states had or still have with North Korea. Also examined is the participation of African states in the implementation of international sanctions – in particular UN Security Council mandatory sanctions. A detailed description and analysis – both quantitative and qualitative – of trade data related to activities between African states and the DPRK is also provided.

About the authors:

Annie DuPre is a consultant to the ISS and has a BA in political science and an MA in global policy studies. She specialises in Africa’s development and conflict.

Nicolas Kasprzyk works at the ISS as a consultant on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear matters. Previously, he held positions in the private sector, at the United Nations and in the French Ministry of Defense.

Noël Stott leads the ‘Africa’s Development and the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction’ programme at the ISS, which aims to enhance Africa’s role in international efforts to strengthen WMD disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives in the context of Africa’s developmental imperatives.