Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, declared firmly that North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state is absolute and irreversible, and labeled those who believe North Korea will disarm as "fools."
Kim Yo Jong, a key figure in North Korea's government and sister to the leader, issued a statement on 17 Sep stating that North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed nation is definitive and cannot be changed or reversed.
The statement was released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference was underway in Vienna, Austria.
Kim Yo Jong said North Korea's nuclear arsenal plays a crucial role in deterring reckless acts by rogue forces on the international stage, and described efforts to pressure North Korea to disarm as the same meaningless rhetoric expected at the IAEA meeting.
She spoke forcefully, saying that anyone who believes North Korea's denuclearization is possible is a fool.
Kim Yo Jong emphasized that no matter how much hostile parties try to deny the reality with polished words, they cannot change North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed country, which is established both physically and legally.
Previously, North Korea codified its status as a nuclear-armed state into law, declaring its nuclear arsenal permanent and irreversible.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that North Korea has about 57 nuclear warheads, while South Korea estimates the number may range between 80 and 120.
North Korea's nuclear arsenal has steadily grown since the second summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump failed in 2019, after both sides could not agree on what North Korea would receive in return for denuclearization measures.
:sourcechannelnewsasia
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