Kim Jong-un Boasts "We Are a Nuclear Power"... Lee In-young Says "North Korea Has Willingness for Denuclearization"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering opening remarks at a brainstorming session held on the 28th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un showcased the status of a nuclear-armed state both domestically and internationally through his speech and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening national defense. Meanwhile, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, previously stated that "North Korea is a nuclear-armed state not recognized by the international community," the Ministry of Unification reported on the 28th.

At a meeting with reporters that day, a Ministry of Unification official, when asked whether Minister Lee made any separate remarks regarding Kim’s mention of "nuclear deterrence," said, "The minister did not make any comments on this issue (today)," but added, "(Earlier) during the confirmation hearing, he stated that North Korea is a nuclear-armed state not recognized by the international community."

The official also added that Minister Lee had previously stated in written answers during the confirmation hearing that "North Korea appears to have the will for denuclearization."

North Korea’s state-run media, Korean Central News Agency, reported that on the 27th, the 67th anniversary of the "Victory Day of the Fatherland Liberation War" (armistice), Kim attended the 6th National Veterans’ Meeting held at the Pyongyang 4.25 Cultural Hall and delivered a speech saying, "With our reliable and effective self-defensive nuclear deterrent, there will no longer be any talk of war on this land, and the safety and future of our country will be guaranteed forever."

Kim emphasized the status of being a nuclear-armed state, saying, "We have walked the path of self-development as a nuclear-armed state." He added, "Now, at last, we have changed to be able to reliably protect ourselves without flinching against any form of high-intensity pressure or military threats and intimidation from imperialist reactionaries and hostile forces."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un attended the 6th National Veterans' Meeting held at the Pyongyang April 25th Cultural Hall on the 27th, the 67th anniversary of the "Victory Day of the Fatherland Liberation War," the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party's official newspaper, reported on the 28th. In his speech that day, Chairman Kim expressed his determination to strengthen national defense, mentioning the "self-defensive nuclear deterrent."

Meanwhile, during a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 21st, when asked about North Korea’s nuclear possession, then-candidate Lee said, "To be precise, it could be a nuclear-armed state in a condition not accepted by the international community."

In the response materials submitted to the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, he also stated that based on remarks by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un during the 2018 special envoy delegation’s visit to North Korea, he judged that North Korea has the will for denuclearization.

Minister Lee said, "Chairman Kim Jong-un clearly stated to the special envoy delegation that if military threats against North Korea are resolved and regime security is guaranteed, there is no reason to possess nuclear weapons."

He also said, "I understand that Chairman Kim has repeatedly made it clear to our president and leaders of various countries that his denuclearization is not at all different from the denuclearization demanded by the international community."

He added, "I also understand that President Moon Jae-in mentioned that Chairman Kim’s will is to 'choose economic development instead of nuclear weapons and move from the past to the future.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.