Seoul: North Korea has rejected continued US demands for its complete denuclearisation, saying its nuclear weapons are essential to protecting its sovereignty and that it will continue strengthening its nuclear forces.
In a statement carried by North Korean state media on Monday, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the United States of maintaining what Pyongyang described as a hostile policy through its denuclearisation demands, criticism of North Korea's human rights record and military exercises involving South Korea and Japan.
The spokesperson said there had been no change in North Korea's policy towards the United States and vowed to respond with what Pyongyang called the "toughest" measures.
North Korea said its nuclear weapons were an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty. It also rejected the idea that continued US pressure could weaken its nuclear policy, saying it would continue to strengthen the weapons it already possesses.
The statement came after the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea. The US position was restated by the State Department last week, despite President Donald Trump's efforts to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said on Aug. 19 that he would meet Kim later this year. The two leaders met three times in 2018 and 2019, but their negotiations eventually stalled.
There is currently no confirmed date for a new Trump and Kim summit.
Trump also said last month that North Korea had 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons. That figure has not been independently confirmed.
South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu back gave a different estimate the following day. He said North Korea was generally believed to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads. Ahn later clarified that the figure was based on estimates by private research organisations and could not be officially confirmed by the South Korean military.
The exact size of North Korea's nuclear stockpile therefore remains unclear. Public estimates vary, and neither the figure cited by Trump nor the higher estimate discussed by Ahn should be treated as a confirmed count.
Trump has also ordered a major reduction in the scale of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise with South Korea. He said the drills could send an inappropriate and hostile message to Pyongyang and referred to his good relationship with Kim.
North Korea did not consider the reduction sufficient. Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister and a senior official, said the exercises remained provocative and aggressive despite their reduced scale and duration.
The United States, South Korea and Japan are also preparing to hold the Freedom Edge military exercise from Sept. 7 to 11 in international waters east and south of South Korea's Jeju Island.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exercise is defensive in nature and is intended to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats and support regional peace and stability. North Korea has repeatedly condemned such exercises, describing them as preparations for an attack.
North Korea has also continued its military activity. South Korean officials said it launched around 10 short range ballistic missiles on Aug. 20, shortly after Trump said he expected to meet Kim.
The latest developments show that Trump's efforts to reduce military tensions have not led to a change in North Korea's nuclear policy.
North Korea has strengthened its nuclear policy over several years. In September 2023, the country amended its constitution to reinforce its policy of developing nuclear forces.
Kim has since continued to call for an expansion of the country's nuclear capabilities. Earlier this year, he again said North Korea would strengthen its nuclear forces and described its nuclear status as irreversible.
The United States and South Korea continue to support denuclearisation, while North Korea insists that its nuclear weapons are necessary for national security and sovereignty.
The latest exchange highlights the challenge facing any possible Trump and Kim meeting. Washington is signalling interest in renewed dialogue, but Pyongyang has not indicate that it is prepared to accept US demands for complete denuclearisation.
For now, there is no confirmed summit date and no sign that North Korea has agreed to return to negotiations on the terms previously sought by Washington.