North Korea Rejects US Calls for Denuclearization, Vows Military Expansion

Pyongyang has strongly condemned the United States, Japan, and South Korea for their renewed calls for North Korea’s denuclearization, calling it an outdated and unrealistic demand.

In a statement released by a spokesperson for the DPRK Foreign Ministry, North Korea accused the U.S. of attempting to exert extreme political and military pressure through international forums, particularly at the Munich Security Conference. The DPRK criticized a joint statement issued by Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul on February 15, which called for the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The DPRK dismissed these calls as a "futile attempt" to undermine its sovereignty, warning that any provocation would be met with "overwhelming and decisive counteraction." It accused the U.S. of pursuing an impossible goal, likening Washington’s stance on denuclearization to "ignorant primitives asking the moderns to return to their society."

North Korea reiterated its official stance that nuclear weapons are essential for its peace, sovereignty, and self-defense. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that as long as the U.S. and its allies continue hostile policies, Pyongyang will not consider negotiations on disarmament.

The statement further asserted that North Korea’s nuclear strategy is enshrined in its Constitution, and therefore, denuclearization is not an option. It warned that if the U.S. persists with its pressure tactics, Pyongyang will respond by further advancing its strategic military capabilities to gain an upper hand in the power struggle with Washington.

North Korea pledged to continue strengthening its nuclear arsenal, in line with the policy set by its leadership, and to counter what it views as persistent threats from the U.S. and its allies. The Foreign Ministry made it clear that Pyongyang will use all political and military tools at its disposal to safeguard its sovereignty and achieve its strategic objectives.