North Korea's UN Speech: "Dignity Guarded Like Life Cannot Be Sold"... No Mention of North Korea-US Relations

Kim Sung, North Korean Ambassador to the UN, Speech
No Mention of North Korea-US or Inter-Korean Relations Unlike Last Year

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Kim Song, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, argued in his keynote speech at the 75th UN General Assembly on the 29th (local time) that peace cannot be achieved simply because one side wishes for it, and it can only be attained when there is the power to manage war. He also showed a tough stance on denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S., stating that dignity, which has been guarded like life for a brilliant transformation, cannot be sold.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Ambassador Kim delivered the speech in person at the UN headquarters that afternoon, saying that nuclear threats against North Korea continue. However, he did not make any direct references to the denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. or inter-Korean relations.

This is interpreted as being influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier UN General Assembly speech, in which he made no mention of North Korea.

Ambassador Kim had repeatedly emphasized in last year’s UN General Assembly, held after the second North Korea-U.S. summit and the Panmunjom meeting between the leaders, that the deadlock in denuclearization talks was due to the United States. At that time, he also directly criticized the joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, but this year he made no mention of the U.S. or South Korea.

Ambassador Kim said, "We are striving to protect peace on the Korean Peninsula, but nuclear threats against the Republic still continue, and all forms of hostile acts are ongoing right before our eyes," mentioning stealth aircraft, advanced weapons, and nuclear strike capabilities. He did not specify who the source of the threats was.

He argued, "The conclusion we have reached is that peace cannot be achieved simply because one side wishes for it, nor is it granted by anyone. In a situation where coercion by force prevails, one must have self-defensive power capable of managing war to have peace."

Ambassador Kim further stated, "Economic construction is urgent, but we cannot sell the dignity we have guarded like life," indirectly expressing the position that North Korea cannot give up nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles.

He also emphasized that self-reliance is being carried out under the direction of Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and claimed that although considerable damage was caused by natural disasters this year, recovery will be achieved independently in a short time.

Ambassador Kim also revealed that the COVID-19 situation in North Korea is being stably maintained through Chairman Kim’s foresighted quarantine measures. He mentioned that thorough blocking measures and quarantine regulations to prevent virus spread are being observed and expressed solidarity with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ambassador Kim stated, "We will not allow even minor leniency until the risk of infectious diseases disappears," implying that strong measures such as border closures will continue.

Although this UN General Assembly was held virtually for the first time due to COVID-19, North Korea, contrary to public expectations, replaced Chairman Kim with an ambassador-level speech. North Korea also did not send high-level officials to last year’s 74th UN General Assembly and had Ambassador Kim deliver the speech.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Kim did not mention the incident in which a South Korean official was shot by North Korea during his speech that day.

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