North Korea has firmly declared that it is a nuclear-armed country and that no one can change this status in the future. The North Korean government has strongly rejected international criticism of its nuclear weapons programme and condemned a resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding its nuclear activities. Pyongyang has accused the international community of applying double standards, claiming that the nuclear and military activities of the United States and South Korea are not criticised in the same way. North Korea has repeatedly defended its nuclear programme as an important part of its national security strategy and has argued that its nuclear weapons are necessary to protect the country from external threats. North Korea has conducted several nuclear tests and continued developing ballistic missile technology, raising security concerns in East Asia. The United States, South Korea and Japan have described North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes as serious security challenges, while North Korea has criticised joint military exercises between the US and South Korea as hostile actions. The United Nations has imposed several sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes, but Pyongyang has continued to strengthen its military capabilities. The issue of North Korea’s nuclear weapons remains a major concern for regional security and international diplomacy, with efforts to address tensions on the Korean Peninsula continuing to face significant challenges.
