North Korea says its nuclear status is irreversible

June 14 (Asia Today) -- North Korea has rejected renewed international calls for its denuclearization, declaring that its status as a nuclear-armed state will not change despite criticism from South Korea, the United States, Japan and European countries.

North Korean state media published two Foreign Ministry statements over the weekend in response to recent international declarations supporting the denuclearization of North Korea.

A ministry spokesperson said in a statement released Saturday that criticism and nuclear deterrence cooperation by the United States and its allies could not affect North Korea's self-declared status as a nuclear weapons state.

"Denuclearization is an issue that has been finally and irreversibly concluded," the spokesperson said.

The ministry condemned what it described as nuclear confrontation by the United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as attempts by Western countries to pressure a sovereign state.

The statement said North Korea was considering "military and technical countermeasures" using all available capabilities, suggesting the possibility of additional weapons development or military activity.

Pyongyang cited arms transactions among the three countries and joint exercises based on scenarios involving nuclear weapons. It said those activities demonstrated the need to strengthen its self-defense capabilities.

The statement appeared to respond to a joint declaration issued after South Korean and U.S. officials held the sixth meeting of their Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul on Thursday.

The two allies reaffirmed their shared goal of denuclearizing North Korea and agreed to strengthen extended deterrence as Pyongyang continues to advance its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea's response also followed consultations among South Korea, the United States and Japan as well as a South Korea-European Union summit.

South Korea and the European Union said North Korea could not be recognized as a nuclear weapons state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and called on Pyongyang to comply with its international obligations.

A separate statement issued Friday in the name of a spokesperson for Department 10 of North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's policy toward Pyongyang.

The statement did not mention Lee by name, referring to him instead as "the South Korean ruler," apparently moderating the level of its personal criticism.

It nevertheless accused Lee's government of contradicting its stated policy of peaceful coexistence by continuing to support North Korea's denuclearization.

"The South Korean ruler has thrown off the mask of peace," the spokesperson said, accusing Seoul of abandoning its stated commitments to respect North Korea's political system and refrain from hostile acts.

The statement also described South Korea as North Korea's "foremost hostile state" and a "dagger" of the United States.

South Korea's presidential office said the international statements largely restated Seoul's established position.

The presidential office said the government would continue efforts to reduce tensions and establish peace with North Korea.

The use of the title "Department 10 spokesperson" also drew attention because it was the first publicly reported statement issued under that designation.

The development has prompted speculation that Department 10 may be operating as a separate division within the Foreign Ministry and could serve as a channel dedicated to messages concerning South Korea.

Ryu Hyun-woo, a former acting North Korean ambassador to Kuwait who defected to South Korea, said Department 10 could be operating from a separate location because of limited space at the Foreign Ministry's main building.

Ryu said Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, would probably continue to issue statements on inter-Korean matters when authorized by her brother, even if the department assumes a greater public role.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 10:56 PM.