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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Kim Yo-jong slams G7 over denuclearization demand, calling it 'inviting disaster'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • North Korea's Kim Yo-jong condemned a G7 statement calling for the country's denuclearization, labeling it an "excess of authority."
  • She stated that North Korea's access to nuclear weapons is a core interest that must be preserved and that denuclearization is a "line of no retreat."
  • Kim criticized the G7 for "destroying global peace and security" and asserted that North Korea obtained nuclear weapons for self-defense against nuclear threats.

Kim Yo-jong, a high-ranking official in North Korea and sister to leader Kim Jong-un, has strongly rebuked a joint statement by Group of Seven (G7) leaders demanding the denuclearization of North Korea. She characterized the G7's call as an "excess of authority" and warned that those who "hurt the core interests of a nuclear weapons state" are "inviting disaster."

I express strong dissatisfaction and regret at the excess of authority of G7, a direct violation of the constitution of our state, and resolutely denounce and reject it in the most explicit tone.

— Kim Yo-jongResponding to the G7 statement on North Korea's denuclearization.

In a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim declared, "I express strong dissatisfaction and regret at the excess of authority of G7, a direct violation of the constitution of our state, and resolutely denounce and reject it in the most explicit tone." She emphasized that North Korea's access to nuclear weapons is a fundamental interest that must be protected, and that denuclearization is a non-negotiable stance.

The DPRK’s access to nuclear weapons is its core interests to be preserved without fail and ‘denuclearization’ is the line of no retreat that can never be crossed.

— Kim Yo-jongStating North Korea's firm stance on its nuclear program.

Following their summit, G7 leaders expressed "deep concern about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs" and reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization in line with UN Security Council resolutions. Kim Yo-jong countered by labeling the G7 as the "chief culprit of destroying global peace and security and the international nuclear non-proliferation system." She asserted that the G7 lacks the qualifications to discuss or deny North Korea's sovereign decision regarding its nuclear capabilities.

The G7 was the chief culprit of destroying global peace and security and the international nuclear non-proliferation system.

— Kim Yo-jongCriticizing the G7's role in international security.

Kim dismissed the G7's denuclearization demand as "completely out of date" and irrelevant. She reiterated North Korea's position that it developed nuclear weapons for self-defense against persistent nuclear threats from its adversaries. According to Kim, North Korea's nuclear program is a "powerful means of defending sovereignty and a cornerstone for ensuring peace," as defined by national law. The statement underscored that the DPRK's nuclear weapons, as a means of self-defense, will remain unchanged in their identity and persistence.

The DPRK’s nukes as a means for self-defense and countermeasures will remain unchanged in their identity and persistence.

— Kim Yo-jongExplaining the purpose and permanence of North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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