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3mo ago

North Korea Rejects U.S.-Led Denuclearization Efforts, Vows to Expand Nuclear Arsenal

Pyongyang criticizes U.S., South Korea, and Japan's joint pledge on denuclearization, reaffirming its commitment to bolstering nuclear capabilities under Kim Jong Un's leadership.

FILE - In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech at a meeting held during Dec. 23 until Dec. 27, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (3-L), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (3-R) and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (2-R) attend the meeting of Foreign Ministers the Transatlantic Quint during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), in Munich, Germany, 15 February 2025. High-level international decision-makers meet at the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich from 14 to 16 February 2025 during their annual meeting to discuss global security issues. RONALD WITTEK/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya attend a joint press conference following their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea January 13, 2025. JUNG YEON-JE/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (C) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) attend the meeting of Foreign Ministers the Transatlantic Quint during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), in Munich, Germany, 15 February 2025. High-level international decision-makers meet at the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich from 14 to 16 February 2025 during their annual meeting to discuss global security issues. RONALD WITTEK/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo

Overview

  • North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the U.S. and its allies' push for denuclearization as 'outdated' and 'absurd,' pledging to continue strengthening its nuclear forces.
  • The statement followed a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the Munich Security Conference, where they reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization.
  • Pyongyang emphasized that its nuclear arsenal is a constitutional means of self-defense against perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies.
  • North Korea has intensified its nuclear development since declaring itself a nuclear weapons state in 2022, with Kim Jong Un enshrining the buildup of nuclear forces into the country's constitution.
  • South Korea unveiled a new precision-strike missile system designed to counter North Korea's long-range artillery, as regional tensions continue to escalate.