North Korea Denounces "Denuclearization as Utter Delusion"... Experts Say "Intent to Preempt the Agenda"

North Korea criticized President Lee Jaemyung's remarks on "denuclearization" made during his visit to the United States on August 27, calling them "utterly futile delusions."

North Hwanghaebukdo Gaepung County in North Korea as seen from Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

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The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued a commentary titled "The True Identity of the Hypocrite Suffering from Denuclearization Delusions Exposed," stating, "Our position to never relinquish our nuclear weapons, which are both our national prestige and system, is absolutely unwavering." The commentary referred to President Lee as a "hypocrite" and a "confrontation maniac," dismissing his so-called "three-stage denuclearization theory" as nothing more than a "naive dream." North Korea also unleashed harsh criticism against South Korea, calling it a "dirty breed," a "thoroughly hostile country," and a "politically impoverished group that has completely surrendered its sovereignty to the United States."

Previously, President Lee stated in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., that "the obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) must be strictly observed on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "South Korea and the United States will respond firmly to North Korean provocations."

However, North Korea did not mention the South Korea-U.S. summit, which was a key part of President Lee's visit, nor did it refer to U.S. President Donald Trump. Experts noted that North Korea chose to issue a commentary rather than a statement from a high-ranking official, suggesting a calibrated response.

Yang Moojin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, analyzed, "North Korea's silence toward the United States takes into account the personal rapport between the leaders, while the criticism of President Lee signals an intention to sideline South Korea in the future," indicating a strategy of differentiated responses to South Korea and the United States. He added, "It also reflects North Korea's intention to preemptively block the highlighting and agenda-setting of denuclearization." The Ministry of Unification did not issue any particular stance regarding North Korea's commentary.

Meanwhile, on the same day, North Korea emphasized Kim Jong Un's public activities, reporting that he inspected a marine farming base and a fishing village residential district. Professor Yang interpreted this as "while internally preparing to respond to President Trump's overtures, North Korea is externally sending a tacit message to the United States: 'Do not just talk, but first create the right atmosphere by abandoning hostile policies toward the North.'"

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