Kim Yo Jong Says North Korea Will Not Give Up Nuclear Weapons
Kim Yo Jong has reaffirmed North Korea’s nuclear status as permanent and rejected international calls for denuclearisation amid renewed discussion of US-North Korea talks.
North Korea has reiterated that it will not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, with Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo Jong describing the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state as permanent and irreversible. Her comments came as the International Atomic Energy Agency held its annual conference in Vienna, where denuclearisation of North Korea was discussed.
Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang’s nuclear status was “absolute” and could not be reversed, dismissing continued international calls for denuclearisation. She also criticised those who believe North Korea could eventually give up its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea has increasingly presented its nuclear capability as central to national security and deterrence. A separate statement by Vice Defence Minister Kim Kang Il on Thursday said continued US-led military cooperation with South Korea and Japan justified further strengthening the country’s nuclear forces.
The remarks come as US President Donald Trump has indicated an interest in resuming dialogue with Kim Jong-un. Trump previously held three meetings with the North Korean leader, but negotiations stalled after the 2019 Hanoi summit failed to produce an agreement on sanctions relief and denuclearisation.
North Korea has continued developing its military capabilities since then, including expanding its nuclear programme and conducting missile tests. Recent launches followed military exercises involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.
South Korea said it was closely monitoring Kim Yo Jong’s latest statement because of its timing alongside renewed discussion of possible US-North Korea dialogue.
