Kim Gun: "No Possibility of Recognizing North Korea as a Nuclear Power" (Comprehensive)

US, South Korea, and Japan Senior Representatives on North Korea's Nuclear Issue to Meet in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 13th
"North Korea Gains Nothing from Nuclear Weapons, Only Worsens Security and Ruins Economy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Kim Gun, the chief representative for North Korea nuclear issues of the South Korean government and head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Peaceful Settlement of the Korean Peninsula, asserted that the international community will not recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.

Kim stated, “There will be no recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed country by the international community,” adding, “If anyone still harbors such hopes, it would be better to wake up and face reality.”

On the 13th (local time), at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kim made these remarks during joint opening statements at the trilateral talks on North Korea’s nuclear issues with Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said, “The international community has firmly upheld the common goal of denuclearization of North Korea for 30 years, and there will be no reconsideration of this for the next million years.”

This face-to-face meeting among the three chief representatives was the first in three months since their meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on September 7.

He pointed out that although North Korea’s economy has failed and living conditions have deteriorated due to natural disasters and border closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the regime has continued to waste scarce resources on nuclear and missile programs, deepening the hardships of its people.

He added, “North Korea has gained nothing from its nuclear weapons; rather, it has weakened its security, fallen into long-term diplomatic isolation, and ruined its economy. It is truly regrettable.”

Kim also emphasized the importance of dialogue with North Korea. He referred to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s bold vision for a denuclearization roadmap proposed to North Korea in his Liberation Day speech.

He explained, “This shows our genuine willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea. The path to dialogue remains open.”

In his opening remarks, Sung Kim also stressed, “The threat from North Korea is not only a problem for East Asia or the United States,” and emphasized, “The continued illegal development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, malicious cyber programs, and violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions are global issues.”

He urged, “We call on all countries to join in urging North Korea to comply with numerous UN Security Council resolutions,” and said, “The North Korean nuclear issue can only be successfully resolved if the international community speaks with one unified voice.”

Director-General Funakoshi stated, “If North Korea conducts a nuclear test, we will respond accordingly,” and added, “We will promote strengthening trilateral security cooperation.”

He mentioned Japan’s plan to raise its defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2027 and to consider all options including counterattack capabilities, referring to the new security strategy the Japanese government is scheduled to decide on the 16th.

He also said, “Malicious activities by North Korea in cyberspace are intensifying,” and added, “We plan to deepen cooperation among like-minded countries, including through UN sanctions.”

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