North Korea has formally rejected any obligation to abide by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), its permanent representative to the United Nations has announced, in a move that underscores Pyongyang’s determination to cement its status as a nuclear-armed state regardless of international pressure.
Kim Song, North Korea’s permanent representative to the United Nations, has stated that the country no longer considers itself bound by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), according to reports from North Korean media on Thursday.
The diplomat insisted that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) status as a nuclear state does not depend on the positions of other countries or on discussions held in international forums.
“To be absolutely clear, the DPRK is in no way bound by the NPT,” Kim Song said.
He further claimed that the United States and its allies had been making unfounded criticisms of Pyongyang during the UN NPT review conference. He added that North Korea intends to adhere strictly to its own nuclear weapons policy, which is now enshrined in its domestic legislation and constitution.
Despite ongoing international sanctions, North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile programmes.
