North Korea: We have become an irreversible nuclear power

Kim Yo-jong, in a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), said that “the Agency’s biased stance and double standards” are “the primary factor causing the collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.”

Kim Yo-jong added that “the Agency turned a blind eye to the blatant nuclear proliferation activities of the United States and South Korea’s plan to introduce nuclear-powered submarines,” while unilaterally imposing a resolution against the “defensive and legitimate nuclear activities” of North Korea.

In a separate statement, North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rejected the resolution, declaring that its status as a nuclear power is “irreversible and backed by its nuclear deterrent capabilities.”

Kim was quoted as saying that North Korea’s efforts to modernize all components of its defensive capabilities are bringing about a “significant change” in the composition and means of its armed forces.

Analysts say that North Korea has been working to reform its military with Russian assistance since the two countries signed a mutual defense treaty in 2024.

They point out that the combat experience gained by Pyongyang’s forces deployed in the ongoing war in Ukraine has also contributed to these efforts.

KCNA reported that Kim also delivered a lecture on Friday at a training course for propaganda workers in Pyongyang, telling attendees that modern “ideological warfare” must be innovative, creative, and offensive, rather than merely repeating old methods.