Kim Yo Jong Criticizes ARF Chair's Statement: 'Denuclearization of the Peninsula Is a Stupid Delusion'

Kim Yo Jong, Director of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Department, issued a statement on the 27th strongly condemning the discussion of the 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' included in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) chairman's statement as a "stupid delusion." She asserted that North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible and permanently enshrined in the constitution. On July 25, the ARF had emphasized the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in its chairman's statement and called for the resumption of peaceful dialogue.

In response to these moves by the international community, North Korea pushed back, stating that its nuclear capabilities will continue to be updated. Director Kim condemned the obsession with denuclearization as a failure of strategic thinking and logic, and an act of ignoring the North Korean constitution. She emphasized that nuclear deterrence is the ultimate guarantee of national sovereignty, making the country's status as a nuclear-armed state final and unchangeable. She further clarified that the existing situation will not change based on the rhetoric or wishes of external forces.

Due to this statement, the possibility of resuming inter-Korean dialogue has become increasingly slim. Should North Korea continue to enhance its nuclear capabilities, it is expected to pose a significant constraint on the international community's diplomatic efforts to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula in the future.