North Korea to keep nuclear weapons ‘forever’, says foreign minister

North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, declared that the nation's nuclear weapons status is "everlasting," regardless of the opinions expressed by hostile forces. This statement was made in response to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's recent calls for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. North Korea has legally recognized its nuclear arsenal as permanent and irreversible, with its leaders consistently affirming the country's atomic capabilities.

Choe Son Hui's remarks were made the day after South Korea's president addressed the UN General Assembly, expressing his desire to halt further growth in Pyongyang's weapons capabilities and ultimately achieve a Korean Peninsula free from nuclear weapons. Choe reiterated that the DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) nuclear status is irreversible and will remain unchanged forever. She emphasized that the coexistence of confrontation and dialogue may work for others, but not for the DPRK.

At the UN, Lee also mentioned that South Korea intends to lay the foundation for the resumption of stalled dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington. He noted that US President Donald Trump has indicated a desire for dialogue with Kim Jong Un. Trump recently stated that he plans to meet Kim later this year. Meanwhile, North Korea reported testing updated 240-millimeter controlled multiple-launch rockets on September 22, claiming they can strike targets up to 115km away. The country's vice foreign minister is set to address the UN General Assembly next week.