Government Strongly Condemns North Korea's Mention of 'Strengthening Nuclear Shield'... Urges Response to Denuclearization Talks

The Ministry of Unification stated on the 31st, "We strongly condemn North Korea for once again revealing its uranium enrichment facilities following last year, and for mentioning the continuous strengthening of its nuclear shield and the evolution of its nuclear response posture."

Kim In-ae, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, is holding a regular briefing at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

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Kim In-ae, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building that regarding North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's recent visits to nuclear facilities and related actions, "South Korea, the United States, and the international community maintain a firm and unified stance on the goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization, and North Korea must clearly recognize that its possession of nuclear weapons will never be tolerated." She added, "We urge North Korea to immediately halt its nuclear development and respond to the denuclearization talks proposed by our government."

On the 29th, North Korean state media disclosed news of Kim Jong-un's on-site guidance at a 'nuclear material production base' and a 'nuclear weapons research institute.' This is the second time North Korea has revealed its uranium enrichment facilities, following last September.

Meanwhile, regarding the discovery of an old mobile phone bearing the Samsung Electronics logo among the belongings of North Korean troops dispatched to Russia, which was revealed by Ukrainian authorities, Deputy Spokesperson Kim said, "South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are closely tracking and monitoring the deployment trends of North Korean troops to Russia through tight intelligence sharing."

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