A meeting in New York meant to reinforce a common position drew an immediate rebuke from Pyongyang, sharpening an already deep divide.
North Korea has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons. The country’s Foreign Minister, Choe Son Hui, made the statement, which was published by the state news agency KCNA.
This is stated in a statement by North Korea’s foreign minister, published by the state news agency KCNA.
I reaffirm our country’s unwavering resolve to possess nuclear weapons.
– Choe Son Hui
The minister spoke after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, and South Korea, held on September 21 in New York. They reaffirmed their support for the denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Choe Son Hui called this position confrontational. She said nuclear weapons guarantee the protection of her country’s sovereignty, and that demands from the United States and its allies to give them up only strengthen Pyongyang’s conviction that it has chosen the right course.
After the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea, Toshimitsu Motegi and Cho Hyun, called on Pyongyang to stop funding its nuclear and missile programs and resume dialogue. They also reaffirmed their support for the complete nuclear disarmament of North Korea.