North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s influential sister, Kim Yo Jang, has rejected U.S. calls for denuclearization, emphasizing that the nation will persist in developing nuclear weapons without any wavering.
Kim Yo Jang, a key figure in the regime, stated firmly, “Our position as a nuclear power is completely non-negotiable.” She emphasized that the policy of enhancing self-defensive nuclear deterrent capabilities, as mandated by the supreme leader, is a definitive and unchangeable decision that must be carried out unconditionally.
She dismissed U.S. efforts to challenge North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state as lacking legal authority and stressed that no one would be swayed by unilateral U.S. statements.
These statements precede Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to North Korea, his first in seven years. Kim described a recent White House report, suggesting a denuclearization agreement between Donald Trump and Xi, as misinformation, asserting North Korea’s irreversible status as a nuclear power.
Following the breakdown of talks between Kim Jong Un and Trump in 2019, North Korea has been intensifying its nuclear arsenal, aiming for international recognition as a nuclear state to seek the lifting of economic sanctions.
During a recent visit to a new nuclear facility, Kim Jong Un declared plans to bolster the country’s nuclear capabilities rapidly. State media reported his call for a 2.5-fold increase in missile production capacity over a five-year period during a visit to a weapons factory.
Kim Yo Jong accused the U.S. and South Korea of promoting continuous military build-ups, contrasting it with her brother’s commitment to enhancing self-defensive nuclear deterrence as an irreversible and unconditional decision.
Xi’s visit is seen as an opportunity for China to reinforce its influence over North Korea, which has recently shifted focus towards Russia in its foreign policy. Analysts predict that Xi may avoid directly addressing denuclearization, instead offering economic support during his meeting with Kim Jong Un.
Reports suggest North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia’s efforts in Ukraine with troops and weapons, receiving economic aid in return.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the complexities surrounding nuclear diplomacy.
