DPR Korea tells UN its nuclear status is ‘irreversible’, rejects outside pressure

Kim Son Gyong, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, addresses the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) told the UN General Assembly on Monday that its status as a nuclear-armed State was irreversible, arguing that its military capabilities were necessary to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Addressing the Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong painted a bleak picture of global affairs, pointing to growing distrust, conflicts, climate-related disasters and socioeconomic pressures.

He argued that the United Nations was failing to fulfil its responsibilities because of “high-handedness and unilateralism” by a small number of States and called for greater adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter .

Mr. Kim said respect for sovereignty, security interests and countries’ right to development was essential to overcoming current crises.

Much of his address focused on growing military tensions in Northeast Asia, particularly on and around the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Kim accused the United States and its allies of increasing military pressure on his country through exercises and military deployments, singling out the US-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) security partnership.

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