North Korea's Kim Yo Jong Slams G7 Denuclearization Call as 'Catastrophic Choice'

Kim Yo Jong, director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, fiercely criticized the Group of Seven (G7) nations for demanding North Korea's denuclearization. She declared that "under no circumstances will touching the core interests of a nuclear-weapon state be the worst catastrophic choice." Kim expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation for the G7's "overreach," which she described as a direct infringement on North Korea's constitution.

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Under no circumstances will touching the core interests of a nuclear-weapon state be the worst catastrophic choice.

In a statement released via the Korean Central News Agency, Kim asserted that nuclear possession is a "core interest that must be defended" and that denuclearization is a "red line that can never be crossed." The G7's joint statement, issued on June 17, expressed "deep concern" over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving complete denuclearization in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

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We express strong dissatisfaction and condemnation for the G7's overreach, which constitutes a direct infringement on our country's constitution, and we unequivocally condemn and reject it in the clearest terms.

Kim argued that the G7, which she labeled the "main culprit" in destroying global peace and the international non-proliferation regime, has no right to discuss or challenge the sovereign choices of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. She dismissed the West's demands for denuclearization as "anachronistic," stating that the call for denuclearization has "completely lost its relevance" and will not be swayed by the intensity of any group's criticism.

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Nuclear possession is a core interest that must be defended, and denuclearization is a red line that can never be crossed.

She further explained that North Korea acquired nuclear weapons to defend itself against "constant and sustained nuclear threats" from adversaries. Kim insisted that the focus should be on the illogical nature of the "nuclear threat" claims against North Korea, emphasizing that its nuclear arsenal is a "powerful means of sovereign defense granted by the republic's law and a cornerstone of peace assurance." She concluded by stating that North Korea's nuclear weapons, as a means of self-defense and response, will "permanently remain unchanged in their identity and existence."

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The G7, the main culprit in destroying the peace and security of the world and the international non-proliferation regime, has neither the right to discuss the sovereign choices of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea nor the right to defy them.