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North Korea's Kim Yo Jong Denounces G7 Denuclearization Stance, Calls Nuclear Weapons Permanent
🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong Denounces G7 Denuclearization Stance, Calls Nuclear Weapons Permanent

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • North Korea's Kim Yo Jong strongly condemned the G7's reaffirmation of denuclearization goals, stating their nuclear weapons are permanent and essential for self-defense.
  • She criticized the G7's statement as an infringement on North Korea's sovereignty and asserted that denuclearization is a closed issue that cannot be achieved.
  • Kim warned that challenging North Korea's status as a nuclear state would lead to catastrophic consequences, emphasizing that the G7 has no right to discuss Pyongyang's sovereign choices.

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong issued a fiery denunciation of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders for reiterating their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In a statement released on Thursday, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un declared that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons are an "immutable" part of its identity and essential for self-defense.

Our nuclear weapons, as a means of self-defense and response, will be immutable in their identity and existence permanently.

— Kim Yo JongIn a statement released on Thursday, Kim Yo Jong declared that North Korea's nuclear weapons are an immutable part of its identity and essential for self-defense.

"Our nuclear weapons, as a means of self-defense and response, will be immutable in their identity and existence permanently," Kim stated, adding that possessing nuclear arms is a core interest that must be upheld. She specifically targeted the G7's joint statement, calling it an "ultra vires act" that infringes upon North Korea's constitutional law and expressed strong dissatisfaction and regret.

The G7's ultra vires act, which constitutes a direct infringement upon our state constitution, is met with strong dissatisfaction and regret, and is resolutely rejected in the clearest terms.

— Kim Yo JongKim criticized the G7's joint statement as an infringement on North Korea's constitutional law.

Kim further asserted that the G7 nations should know that denuclearization is a settled matter and cannot be achieved, suggesting that their persistence reveals a lack of political judgment and a disconnect from reality. She emphasized that the pursuit of denuclearization is "completely out of step with the times" and will not be swayed by the G7's pronouncements.

The pursuit of denuclearization is completely out of step with the times and will never be bent by the height of the voices of condemnation of any group.

— Kim Yo JongKim asserted that the G7's call for denuclearization is outdated and will not influence North Korea.

The North Korean official warned that nuclear weapons are a powerful tool for defending sovereignty and a cornerstone of peace. She cautioned that any attempt to interfere with the core interests of a nuclear-armed state would result in the "worst catastrophic choice." Kim concluded by stating that the G7, which she accused of undermining global peace and the international non-proliferation regime, has no right to discuss or challenge North Korea's sovereign decisions.

Any attempt to touch upon the core interests of the nuclear-armed country by anyone under any circumstances will be the worst catastrophic choice.

— Kim Yo JongKim warned that challenging North Korea's nuclear status would lead to catastrophic consequences.
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Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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