North Korea's Foreign Minister affirmed that the country will permanently maintain its status as a nuclear-armed state, while rejecting South Korean President's calls for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, North Korea continues weapons tests and criticizes security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui stated that North Korea will retain its nuclear weapons "for all eras" and that its status as a nuclear-armed state will never change, describing it as an "irreversible" status.
This statement came one day after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung addressed the United Nations General Assembly, saying South Korea seeks to halt North Korea's weapons enhancements and ultimately establish a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
The North Korean Foreign Minister also criticized talks held on Monday in New York among the foreign ministers of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, where the three reaffirmed their support for North Korea's complete denuclearization and urged Pyongyang to return to the negotiation process.
South Korea is attempting to revive long-stalled talks with North Korea. President Lee stated a desire to lay the groundwork for renewed negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington, noting last week that U.S. President Donald Trump "clearly wants to negotiate."
Trump, who met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times during his first presidential term, said last month he plans to meet Kim again before the end of this year.
Meanwhile, North Korea revealed it tested an upgraded 240mm guided multiple rocket launcher system on 22 September. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that this weapon can strike targets up to 115 kilometers away.
North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly next week, where nuclear and security issues on the Korean Peninsula are expected to be key topics of discussion.