Global Security Newswire

Myanmar's leadership on Monday asserted it is not pursuing atomic cooperation with North Korea, despite new claims that Japan had halted a shipment bound for the Southeast Asian nation of North Korean-origin materials with applications in building uranium enrichment centrifuges or missiles.

"We have no nuclear ambition," and no related arrangement with North Korea, Zaw Htay, who heads the office of Burmese President Thein Sein, said to The Irrawaddy.

The metal pipes and specialized aluminum alloy bars confiscated by Japan in August were said to have been heading to the Rangoon building firm Soe Min Htike, which Washington considers to be intended specifically to acquire supplies for Burmese armed forces, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Certain analysts suggested the goods were probably intended to support missile preparations and not atomic activities.

Myanmar's relationship with North Korea has been a point of concern for the United States and other nations, even as Naypyidaw has moved to rejoin the international community after its long-ruling military junta stepped aside. Past reports have pointed to Myanmar's potential pursuit of a nuclear weapon with support from Pyongyang, a claim rejected by the Burmese leadership.

The U.N. Security Council has barred weapons trade with the North due to its proliferation activities.

The official said his country would abide by Security Council mandates, and he noted its recent pledge to give the United Nations greater oversight of any nuclear work in the country.

“We have made a promise and will obey precisely," he said.