Anchor: As Iran agreed to significantly limit its nuclear ability on Tuesday, South Korea hopes the deal will turn up the heat on North Korea, the only country to remain isolated due to its nuclear program. Differences between the situations in Pyongyang and Tehran, however, could call for disparate approaches.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: Following the landmark deal between Iran and six world powers on Tuesday, North Korea has become the only country in the world to remain isolated due to its nuclear program.
 
The Ministry of Unification expressed hope that the Iranian deal will compel North Korea to resolve its own nuclear issue.
 
Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo conveyed the hope during a meeting with foreign correspondents on Tuesday.  
 
[Sound bite: Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo (Korean)]
"The conclusion of the Iranian nuclear negotiations will have the effect of pressuring the North. The South Korean government will continue to cooperate [for North Korea] to make the right decision."
 
Hong nevertheless reconfirmed the government’s principle of engaging in dialogue with the North, saying denuclearization isn't a precondition for all inter-Korean relations.
 
However, analysts have pointed out that due to the different situations in Pyongyang and Tehran, the Iranian agreement is unlikely to drive North Korea back to the negotiating table.
 
Professor of North Korean studies at Korea University Nam Sung-wook said North Korea has already held three nuclear tests and declared itself a nuclear power, while Iran was in the process of developing nuclear weapons. 
 
Sanctions also have a vastly smaller effect on North Korea than Iran, which is highly dependent on external trade. Other factors, including the ending of Barack Obama’s term as U.S. president, could also play a role.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.