With a doctorate in Political Science and International Relations, Shirzad Azad has studied and worked in East Asia for close to a decade, including five years in South Korea (ROK).

He has published a series of scholarly books in English, including Koreans in the Persian Gulf: Policies and International Relations (Routledge, 2015), and several other academic studies with a special focus on Iran-East Asia relations.

Amid the high tension, provocations and name-calling, few of us are aware that the two Koreas and Iran are engaging in many ways, and have been for more than fifty years. It's nothing new or sinister. The book discusses the reasons why these...

Amid the high tension, provocations and name-calling, few of us are aware that the two Koreas and Iran are engaging in many ways, and have been for more than fifty years. It's nothing new or sinister. The book discusses the reasons why these ties came into being and provides facts and figures showing which industries and products are most involved. The relationship clearly suits Korea's businesses very well - South Korea's penetration into Iran's markets and culture are quite clear, and the author questions the effects on Iran's economy and society. However, South Koreans are sometimes discomfited to see that they are linked to Iran on many issues on the diplomatic front as well.  Meanwhile, North Korea also has political and military interests in Iran though that relationship is even more sensitive and is not much publicized. The nuclear deal signed between Tehran and the 5+1 party (United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) in July 2015 adds to the significance of such relationships.