North Korea declares nuclear power status ‘can never be reversed’

North Korea has rejected international calls for denuclearisation, declaring its nuclear weapons status is "irreversible" regardless of outside pressure. The warning came from Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, in a statement released by state media on Wednesday.

Her remarks followed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the United States, South Korea, and Japan at last week’s NATO summit, which reaffirmed the allies’ commitment to “complete denuclearisation” of the Korean Peninsula.

“We don’t care about anyone’s denial and recognition, and we never change our option,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “This is our steadfast choice that can never be reversed by any physical strength or sly artifice.”

North Korea first tested a nuclear weapon in 2006 and has since built what it calls a “strong nuclear deterrent” in response to perceived threats from the outside world. Despite facing years of U.N. sanctions, Pyongyang has pressed ahead with missile tests and claims to have expanded its arsenal significantly.

While atmospheric nuclear testing has not resumed, analysts believe the regime has moved past any point of accepting deals aimed at dismantling its programme.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously held historic summits with Kim Jong Un, recently referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power” and has suggested he would be open to resuming talks with Pyongyang.

The Biden administration, and now the Trump administration in its second term, has maintained the long-standing U.S. policy: sanctions relief only in exchange for verifiable steps toward denuclearisation.

Whether diplomacy returns to the table or tensions escalate further, North Korea has made one thing clear — it sees its nuclear status as permanent.

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