North Korea rejects US denuclearisation calls, vows nuclear buildup

North Korea has rejected repeated US demands for denuclearisation, accusing Washington of maintaining a hostile policy and

SEOUL: North Korea has rejected repeated US demands for denuclearisation, accusing Washington of maintaining a hostile policy and reaffirming its determination to strengthen its nuclear capabilities.

In a statement carried by state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday, a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said there had been no change in Washington’s approach towards Pyongyang.

The official criticised the United States for continuing to call for the “complete denuclearisation” of North Korea, raising concerns over the country’s human rights record and maintaining military cooperation with South Korea and Japan.

According to the spokesperson, Washington’s position demonstrated what Pyongyang described as an ongoing attempt to undermine North Korea’s sovereignty, political system and security interests.

The official defended North Korea’s nuclear arsenal as essential to the country’s national security. The spokesperson said the country’s nuclear weapons served as an absolute guarantee for protecting its sovereignty and indicated that Pyongyang would not give up its nuclear status in response to US denuclearisation demands.

North Korea also warned that expectations of a reduction in tensions on the Korean Peninsula were unrealistic under the current circumstances.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction in the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises involving the United States and South Korea.

Trump had cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while explaining the decision. He also argued that the exercises were expensive and could be interpreted by Pyongyang as an unnecessarily hostile gesture.

Trump has expressed interest in holding another summit with Kim. The two leaders previously held three meetings during 2018 and 2019, but their negotiations failed to produce a lasting agreement on North Korea’s nuclear programme.

Despite the reduction in the scale of the exercises, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister and a senior political figure, criticised the drills earlier this month. She described the exercises as provocative and aggressive even with changes to their duration and scale.

Meanwhile, the United States, South Korea and Japan are scheduled to conduct the Freedom Edge exercise from September 7 to 11. The trilateral military activity is aimed at improving coordination in responding to potential nuclear and missile threats.

Pyongyang has repeatedly opposed such joint exercises, arguing that they threaten regional stability and are part of preparations for military action against North Korea.