Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, reiterated North Korea’s unwavering stance on bolstering its nuclear capabilities in response to international condemnation over the recent launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
In a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 2, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Yo-jong asserted, “There can never be a change of the line,” firmly rejecting any possibility of abandoning the path of strengthening the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Kim stated, “Have sanction, pressure and threats stopped us? They have only made us stronger,” emphasizing that any expectations of North Korea changing its stance were misguided. “if one is not a fool, one should not do a stupid act of expecting our change,” she continued, adding, “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will never tolerate any attempt to threaten the security environment of the state.”
She further underscored that missile launches are a legitimate exercise of the country’s right to self-defense, intended to send warning signals to external forces and protect the nation’s sovereignty against prospective threats.
Kim Yo-jong also criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who issued a statement on October 31 (local time) condemning the ICBM launch. She described his statement as “unfair and prejudiced,” asserting that North Korea “categorically rejects” it.
In a rhetorical question, Kim challenged, “Does the UN secretary-general think that if we unilaterally restrain ourselves in the environment in which countries hostile against us have formed a military bloc based on nukes and inflicted a serious injury on the security of our state through unprecedented political and military provocations, peace can be ensured on the Korean peninsula?”
She added, “The UN secretary-general should clearly understand that his prejudiced stand on the Korean peninsula issue is acting as a factor of further aggravating the regional situation and inciting the hostile acts of the U.S. and its followers against the DPRK.”
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, reported on November 1 that “Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un personally supervised a significant test on October 31, which set a landmark in permanently ensuring the absolute superiority of the Republic’s strategic force.” The publication also released photos of the newly launched ICBM.
On October 31, under Kim Jong-un’s direct supervision, North Korea conducted a test launch of the Hwasong-19, a new ICBM model.
During the launch, Kim Jong-un stated, “We will never change our course of strengthening nuclear power under any circumstances,” and emphasized, “Peace that is safeguarded by powerful deterrent force against adversaries is the only reliable, safe, and solid peace.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
