North Korea: We Will Not Disarm Unilaterally Without Trust

The North Korean Foreign Minister criticized the ongoing sanctions against Pyongyang and the "deepening distrust," stating that in such an environment, the country will not unilaterally give up its weapons. The U.S. President has reiterated that sanctions will continue until North Korea is denuclearized. Ri Yong-ho, the North Korean Foreign Minister, emphasized during his speech at the United Nations gathering in New York on October 7 that Pyongyang is ready to adhere to the agreements made between Donald Trump, the U.S. President, and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader. However, his remarks were accompanied by criticisms of the ongoing events, the continuation of sanctions, and the "deepening distrust." Ri stated, "The notion that sanctions will bring us to our knees is an illusion of those who do not know us." He added that the continuation of sanctions only "deepens distrust" and that "distrust among U.S. officials leads to a lack of confidence regarding national security among North Korean officials." According to the North Korean Foreign Minister, under such circumstances, "it is impossible for us to unilaterally give up our weapons." The United States has yet to respond to the North Korean Foreign Minister's statements. Despite the criticisms raised, Ri Yong-ho's tone was less aggressive compared to past speeches by North Korean officials. Three days before Ri's speech, Donald Trump had emphasized that there is no rush to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons, but added that sanctions would continue until then. North Korea faces a complex and extensive array of international sanctions that have had significant consequences on its economic situation and the influx of currency and energy resources into the country. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated last week that he would travel to Pyongyang to continue negotiations. The leaders of the two countries had agreed in the spring during a historic summit in Singapore to move towards denuclearization of North Korea. However, there is still no clear process for dismantling North Korea's weapons, and reports have emerged indicating that Pyongyang has abandoned its actions in this regard. Recently, the North Korean leader mentioned in a meeting with the South Korean President that his country is willing to take steps to build trust by dismantling a key missile engine test site and an important nuclear test facility.