Kim Son Gyong, the Deputy Foreign Minister of North Korea, stated at the United Nations General Assembly that Pyongyang will never abandon its nuclear program and deemed the demand for nuclear disarmament as equivalent to demanding the surrender of the sovereignty and existence rights of this country. This is the first time since 2018 that a senior official from Pyongyang has spoken at the annual UN General Assembly. In that year, the North Korean Foreign Minister had traveled to New York.
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North Korean Official at the UN: We Will Never Abandon Our Nuclear Program
Jan 23, 2026
January 23, 2026
1 min read
📰 Iran International (Farsi)
📋 Key Takeaway
Kim Son Gyong, North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister, declared at the UN that the country will not give up its nuclear program, equating disarmament demands with a threat to its sovereignty. This marks the first high-level address from North Korea at the UN since 2018, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding nuclear capabilities.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
North Korea's commitment to its nuclear program poses ongoing challenges for international diplomacy and security.
👥 Key Players
Kim Son Gyong
MENTIONED
Deputy Foreign Minister of North Korea
"As a high-ranking official, his statements reflect North Korea's official stance on nuclear weapons and international relations."
United Nations
MENTIONED
International organization for diplomacy
"The UN serves as a platform for international dialogue and conflict resolution, making it significant for discussions on nuclear disarmament."
📰 What Happened
At the UN General Assembly, Kim Son Gyong declared that North Korea will never abandon its nuclear program, equating disarmament demands with a threat to its sovereignty. This is the first high-level address from North Korea at the UN since 2018.
- Kim Son Gyong's remarks signify a hardline stance from North Korea on nuclear issues.
- This address marks a notable re-engagement of North Korea with the international community after several years of silence.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view North Korea's defiance as a precedent for maintaining its own nuclear ambitions despite international pressure.
🌍 Regional: The statement could escalate tensions in East Asia and influence regional security dynamics, including Iran's relationships with its neighbors.
🌐 International: This reinforces the challenges of nuclear non-proliferation efforts and may complicate diplomatic relations with North Korea.
📚 Background
North Korea has pursued a nuclear weapons program for decades, viewing it as essential for its national security. The international community, particularly the US and its allies, have sought to curb this program through sanctions and diplomatic negotiations.
Nuclear non-proliferation
US-North Korea relations
📡 Source:
NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
The information is presented from a factual standpoint, reflecting official statements without apparent bias.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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