North Korea dismisses UN nuclear watchdog resolution | News
North Korea Rejects IAEA Criticism, Affirms Nuclear Status
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry has rejected a recent resolution from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criticizing the country’s nuclear weapons program. In a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday, the ministry declared its nuclear status as “irreversible” and attributed this to its nuclear deterrent capabilities.
In a separate KCNA statement, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the IAEA for alleged double standards. She claimed these biases contribute to the disintegration of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
“The IAEA’s biased viewpoint and double standards are the fundamental factor causing the collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation system,” Kim Yo Jong stated. She further contended that the agency has overlooked what she termed “blatant nuclear proliferation activities” by the United States, specifically citing the planned introduction of nuclear submarines by South Korea. Meanwhile, she accused the IAEA of unjustly targeting North Korea for its “self-defensive and legitimate nuclear activities.”
The North Korean Foreign Ministry also criticized “hostile forces” for allegedly attempting to dismantle the nation’s nuclear program during the IAEA’s general conference this week. A spokesperson emphasized that the resolution drafted by the United States and its allies would not alter North Korea’s standing as a nuclear weapons state.
In related news, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un recently conducted a three-day inspection of key munitions factories. Analysts suggest that North Korea has been modernizing its military capabilities with assistance from Russia, a collaboration that has intensified since the two countries signed a mutual defense treaty in 2024. Additionally, combat experience gained by North Korean troops deployed in the war in Ukraine is believed to have contributed to this military enhancement.
On Friday, Kim Jong Un addressed a training session for propaganda workers in Pyongyang, stressing the need for innovative and aggressive strategies in modern “ideological warfare.”
Amid these tensions, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to engage in dialogue with North Korea. Lee stated that South Korea aims to facilitate these potential discussions. Recently, Trump indicated plans to meet with Kim Jong Un later this year, emphasizing the importance of maintaining amicable relations with the North Korean leader, who purportedly possesses 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons.
