North Korea has reiterated that it will retain its nuclear weapons, with Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo Jong describing the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state as permanent and irreversible.
In a statement carried by North Korean state media on Thursday, Kim Yo Jong rejected international efforts to persuade Pyongyang to denuclearise and criticised those who believe such a process remains possible. She said North Korea’s nuclear arsenal contributes to deterring hostile actions against the country.
The remarks came as the International Atomic Energy Agency held its General Conference in Vienna and amid renewed discussion about possible US-North Korea talks. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated that he is open to meeting Kim Jong-un again and said last month that he intended to pursue dialogue later this year.
South Korea said it was closely monitoring Kim Yo Jong’s statement because of its timing. Trump met Kim three times during his first presidency, but negotiations stalled after the 2019 Hanoi summit failed to reach an agreement over sanctions relief and North Korea’s nuclear programme.
North Korea has continued expanding its nuclear capabilities since that failed summit. Trump said in August that Pyongyang had 57 nuclear weapons, while South Korean estimates put its arsenal at roughly 80–120 warheads.
Kim Yo Jong’s latest comments indicate that Pyongyang continues to reject denuclearisation as a negotiating objective, even as Washington signals interest in renewed engagement.
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