North Korea has rejected calls for its denuclearization, calling the efforts of the United States and its allies “absurd” and reaffirming its commitment to expanding its nuclear arsenal under leader Kim Jong Un.
The statement from Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry followed a meeting between U.S., South Korean, and Japanese diplomats in Germany, where they pledged to strengthen military cooperation and sanctions against North Korea’s weapons program.
Pyongyang accused Washington of pursuing an outdated policy and warned of “overwhelming and decisive counteraction” if it perceives threats to its security. The statement avoided direct mention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously engaged in summit diplomacy with Kim. However, talks between Washington and Pyongyang have remained stalled since 2019, with North Korea focusing instead on military expansion and strategic partnerships.
Kim has shifted his foreign policy toward Russia, supplying weapons to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is believed to be seeking economic aid and technology to advance its missile program. A North Korean diplomatic delegation recently departed for Russia, signaling deepening ties between the two nations.
Trump’s return to the U.S. presidential race has fueled speculation about renewed negotiations with North Korea, but analysts say a revival of 2018-style diplomacy is unlikely. The regional security landscape has changed, with Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions now intertwined with global conflicts, including weakened sanctions enforcement and tensions between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.
The statement from Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry followed a meeting between U.S., South Korean, and Japanese diplomats in Germany, where they pledged to strengthen military cooperation and sanctions against North Korea’s weapons program.
Pyongyang accused Washington of pursuing an outdated policy and warned of “overwhelming and decisive counteraction” if it perceives threats to its security. The statement avoided direct mention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously engaged in summit diplomacy with Kim. However, talks between Washington and Pyongyang have remained stalled since 2019, with North Korea focusing instead on military expansion and strategic partnerships.
Kim has shifted his foreign policy toward Russia, supplying weapons to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is believed to be seeking economic aid and technology to advance its missile program. A North Korean diplomatic delegation recently departed for Russia, signaling deepening ties between the two nations.
Trump’s return to the U.S. presidential race has fueled speculation about renewed negotiations with North Korea, but analysts say a revival of 2018-style diplomacy is unlikely. The regional security landscape has changed, with Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions now intertwined with global conflicts, including weakened sanctions enforcement and tensions between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.
