Kim Yo Jong Declares North Korea's Nuclear Status Non-Negotiable

Reaction from Washington

The US government responded on Friday through a State Department spokesperson, who told the South Korean news agency Yonhap that the United States remains ready to engage in dialogue with North Korea "without preconditions." At the same time, Washington "continues to uphold the goal of the complete denuclearization of North Korea." The diplomatic gap between Washington and Pyongyang thus remains clearly evident.

The timing of the statement is notable: it was released just a few days before the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to North Korea, announced for Monday. It is the Chinese head of state's first visit to Pyongyang since 2019 and underscores the close ties between the two countries.

Background: China as a Protective Power

China is North Korea's only formal alliance partner; the foundation is a bilateral mutual assistance pact. Historically, the two states are also linked by their shared fight in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. In the UN Security Council, Beijing and Moscow have repeatedly blocked further sanctions against Pyongyang in recent years.

In addition, China and Russia recently prevented the renewal of the mandate of a UN expert panel that had been monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea. North Korea has been subject to extensive United Nations sanctions for around two decades due to its nuclear and missile programs.

Significance of the Chinese Visit

Kim Yo Jong's statement is interpreted in diplomatic circles as a clear rejection of all ongoing and future negotiation initiatives on the nuclear disarmament of North Korea. North Korea sees itself strengthened by the support of China and Russia on the UN Security Council and currently shows no willingness to back away from its nuclear position.

With regard to the upcoming visit of Xi Jinping to Pyongyang, observers also interpret Kim Yo Jong's remarks as a signal to the US and its allies: North Korea regards its nuclear weapons as a permanent security instrument that is not open to negotiation - regardless of how the geopolitical situation continues to develop.