Two North Korean prisoners of war reach South Korea from Ukraine

North Korea firmly rejected calls to cease nuclear tests, branding the international demand as a "grave political provocation" against the nation. The country's foreign ministry spokesperson denounced the statement from the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as an act of hostility. At a meeting in New York on Tuesday, the group expressed concern over any potential nuclear test by North Korea, emphasizing its irresponsibility and unacceptable nature.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson maintained that North Korea is a responsible nuclear-armed state, highlighting its irreversible nuclear weapons status. This stance came in response to a separate meeting between the United States, South Korea, and Japan at the United Nations General Assembly, where they reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, established in 1996, prohibits any nuclear weapon test explosion or other nuclear explosions globally, aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons entirely.