SEOUL: North Korea has reiterated that its nuclear arsenal is solely for combat purposes against adversaries threatening its sovereignty and global stability, dismissing any notion of using it as a negotiation tool.
This statement follows a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House, where both leaders emphasized their commitment to ending North Korea’s nuclear program.
Although North Korea’s state media, KCNA, did not directly reference the discussions between Trump and Ishiba, it highlighted remarks from NATO and EU officials reiterating demands for Pyongyang’s complete denuclearization.
“We make this clear once again: our nuclear weapons are neither a means to gain recognition nor a bargaining chip for economic concessions,” KCNA stated.
“Our nuclear forces are designed for decisive combat use, ready to eliminate any hostile forces that infringe upon our sovereignty, endanger our people, or threaten global peace,” the statement added.
Despite Trump’s attempts to reestablish dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Pyongyang has instead reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its nuclear capabilities.
During a recent address, Trump expressed confidence in maintaining relations with North Korea, recalling his past meetings with Kim Jong Un. However, North Korea has not officially responded to his outreach.
Following Trump’s second-term inauguration on January 20, he referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power,” raising speculation over whether his administration would pursue arms reduction talks rather than full denuclearization.
A joint statement issued by Trump and Ishiba after their discussions reaffirmed their “serious concerns” regarding North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and underscored their unwavering commitment to achieving complete denuclearization.
