A bizarre video has re-emerged documenting Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei on a state visit to North Korea.
The visit took place in 1989 when Khamenei was serving as President of the Islamic Republic. The video documents the young Khamenei on his visit, cue lots of handshaking, waving at crowds, intricately planned ceremonies and a whole load of clapping and cheering from spectators.
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The relationship between North Korea and Iran
Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, North Korea and Iran have remained close allies in the arena of defence and trade. Interestingly, Iran also has a close relationship with South Korea, a fact which is believed to be the reason why it seems that they have always kept North Korea slightly at arms length.
The alliance is perhaps most surprising due to the fact that North Korea maintains a very strict crackdown on religious belief whereas Iran is a theocracy, but may be explained better by the fact that both countries hold strong anti-American foreign policy ideals.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea struggled to access oil, forcing it to look towards Iran, one of the only oil-rich countries which it had diplomatic relations with. In turn North Korea provided Iran with assistance in missile technology and nuclear programs.
