North Korea Rejects Denuclearisation

The position was presented by North Korean Vice Minister of Defence Kim Kang Il during an address at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, which focuses on security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kim called on Pyongyang’s adversaries to abandon what he described as “illusions” about the denuclearisation of North Korea.

According to the official, North Korea’s nuclear policy is a response to current and future threats facing the country.

Kim accused the United States and its allies of intensifying military exercises in the region and said such actions increase the risk of a nuclear confrontation.

He also criticised military cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea, arguing that closer ties between the three countries represent a threat to Pyongyang.

North Korea further warned that it would continue strengthening its nuclear deterrence capabilities if it considers external threats to be increasing.

The statement was made in Beijing at a time of closer relations between North Korea and China, traditionally Pyongyang’s main political and economic ally.

Recent contacts between the two countries have focused on strengthening bilateral relations and military cooperation, while denuclearisation has been absent from their latest official statements.