Kim Yo Jong, sister of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un, declared that the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible, state media reported on Wednesday.
“The DPRK’s status as a nuclear weapons state can never be reversed, no matter how much the United States and its allies demand it,” Kim Yo Jong said, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Her remarks were a response to a joint statement made by the foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, and the United States during a NATO meeting last week. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK.
Kim Yo Jong emphasized that Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal is a result of external threats. “It does not change no matter how desperately anyone denies,” she stated. “We don’t care about anyone’s denial and recognition, and we never change our option. This is our steadfast choice that can never be reversed by any physical strength or sly artifice.”
Since conducting its first underground nuclear test in 2006, the DPRK has faced numerous sanctions from the UN Security Council. Despite international pressure, it is believed to have developed a substantial nuclear arsenal, although it has not conducted an atmospheric nuclear test.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been escalating, with the DPRK frequently showcasing its military capabilities. The international community has expressed concerns over the potential for increased instability in the region.
The DPRK maintains that its nuclear program is a necessary deterrent against what it perceives as hostile policies from the United States and its allies. As diplomatic efforts remain at a standstill, regional security continues to be a critical concern.
