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🇸🇬 Singapore /Energy & Infrastructure

North Korea Reaffirms Nuclear Status Ahead of Xi Jinping Visit

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • North Korea reaffirmed its status as a nuclear-armed state, warning against any threats.
  • The statement comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang.
  • North Korea dismissed U.S. claims about denuclearization goals and recently revealed a new nuclear material production factory.

North Korea will never relinquish its status as a nuclear-armed nation and will not tolerate any threats, declared Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, according to state media KCNA.

Her statement comes just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit North Korea on Monday. This marks Xi's first trip to Pyongyang in nearly seven years, signaling Beijing's intent to strengthen ties with its only formal treaty ally.

We have the most accurate information.

— Kim Yo JongReferring to the veracity of claims about denuclearization goals discussed between China and the U.S.

During his visit, Xi is expected to meet with Kim Jong Un to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual concern, as stated by China's foreign ministry. Kim Yo Jong also labeled U.S. assertions that Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on denuclearization during a May summit as "false."

She claimed North Korea possesses "the most accurate information" regarding the truth of these claims, though she provided no further details. Earlier this week, North Korea showcased a new factory for producing nuclear materials, where Kim Jong Un called for an "exponential" increase in the country's atomic arsenal. Analysts suggest this new uranium-enrichment site aims to bolster North Korea's negotiating stance before the Xi-Kim summit and to justify an accelerated nuclear buildup.

We have the most accurate information on whether the claims are true or not.

— Kim Yo JongResponding to U.S. claims about denuclearization goals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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