North Korea claims nuclear power status is realistic, 'irreversible'

Pyongyang [North Korea], April 21: North Korea's foreign minister criticized the G7 countries for meddling in internal affairs and stressed that the West has no right to speak out about Pyongyang's status as a nuclear power.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui issued a statement on April 21 in response to the G7 foreign ministers' condemnation of Pyongyang's missile launches, according to the agency. Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
During a recent meeting in Japan, G7 diplomats said that North Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapons state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPP). NPT).
In response, Foreign Minister Choe said: "The G7 has no authority or status to discuss the exercise of North Korea's sovereignty and national status."
The diplomat stressed that North Korea's status as a global nuclear power is "irreversible" and an "indisputable" reality for thousands of years to come, whether the United States recognizes it or not.
This status is not conferred or recognized by anyone, she asserts, but has been established in law according to the actual need for nuclear deterrence. This law was passed by North Korea in September 2022, according to Yonhap.
"We will never seek anyone's recognition or approval because we are pleased to have the power to strike back against the US nuclear threat," Choe said.
Regarding the NPT, Foreign Minister Choe said that North Korea is not bound by its obligations under the treaty, since it officially withdrew in 2003.
In addition, Choe warned that North Korea would react severely to any actions by the G7 that infringe upon its sovereignty and fundamental interests.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper