North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his nation will never abandon its nuclear arsenal, cementing its status as a nuclear-armed state and rejecting calls for denuclearization from the United States and its allies.
In statements delivered both during national assemblies and through state media, Kim Jong Un has firmly stated that North Korea considers its nuclear weapons not only a fundamental guarantee of the country’s security, but also a non-negotiable element of its national identity and defense policy. Speaking at the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim asserted, “There is absolutely no denuclearization, no negotiation, and no bargaining chip to trade in the process.”
He argued that U.S. pressure is aimed at weakening North Korea’s defenses and ultimately collapsing its government, an outcome the regime is determined to resist.
North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly has enshrined its nuclear status in law, specifying conditions for potential nuclear weapons use, including preemptive strikes if the nation’s leadership or strategic assets are threatened. The new doctrine authorizes automatic nuclear retaliation, which experts warn increases regional risks.
Kim reiterated: “We will never give up our rights to self-defense that preserves our country’s existence and the safety of our people just to temporarily ease the difficulties we are experiencing now.” He accused the United States of seeking to remove North Korea’s nuclear capability in order to dominate the country and warned against any hopes that North Korea would negotiate away its deterrence.
International reactions have included widespread concern and condemnation. The United Nations and other world powers have repeatedly called for dialogue and a return to denuclearization talks, but North Korea maintains that its nuclear armament is now “irreversible,” with its position “permanently specified in the supreme and basic law of the state”.
Kim Jong Un’s unwavering stance signals serious challenges for diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and maintaining stability in Northeast Asia
