North Korea has firmly rejected calls to abandon its nuclear weapons program, with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong declaring at the United Nations General Assembly that denuclearization would mean surrendering the nation’s sovereignty and right to exist. His remarks marked the first time a senior North Korean official addressed the UN gathering in New York since 2018.
Kim emphasized that nuclear weapons are enshrined as state law, national policy, and a cornerstone of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s survival. He argued that the growing U.S. military presence and its alliances in the region justify Pyongyang’s continued development of a nuclear deterrent. According to him, this deterrence ensures a balance of power on the Korean peninsula and prevents U.S. and allied aggression.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement expressing interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, Pyongyang has ignored Washington’s repeated calls for renewed diplomacy. Kim Son Gyong reiterated that North Korea will “never walk away” from its nuclear stance under any circumstances. However, he signaled that dialogue with the United States would not be ruled out if Washington abandoned its demand for complete denuclearization.
Since 2006, North Korea has faced escalating UN Security Council sanctions aimed at halting its nuclear and missile programs. While these measures remain in place, Russia and China are pushing for sanctions relief, citing humanitarian needs and the hope of reviving stalled negotiations. Both nations have strengthened ties with Pyongyang in recent years. Russia, in particular, has expanded military and diplomatic cooperation with North Korea since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with reports indicating the use of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces.
Kim’s UN speech underscores North Korea’s unwavering position: nuclear weapons are not negotiable, but dialogue remains possible if international demands shift.