Kim Yo Jong declares North Korea's nuclear program non‑negotiable ahead of Xi's visit

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the country's nuclear weapons programme is “absolutely non‑negotiable” in a statement released by state media. The remark came on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to Pyongyang, the first such visit in seven years, underscoring the regime’s resolve to maintain its nuclear deterrent.

The declaration rejected recent U.S. claims that the summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi had reaffirmed a shared goal of denuclearising North Korea, labeling them “false information”. It also highlighted North Korea’s recent unveiling of a new uranium‑enrichment facility and called for an “exponential” expansion of its arsenal. Analysts estimate the country may possess enough fissile material for 50‑90 warheads, with 30‑60 assembled weapons, and continue to develop long‑range missiles capable of reaching the United States.

North Korea’s nuclear status was enshrined in its constitution in 2023, and the regime has repeatedly emphasized that its nuclear trajectory is irreversible, despite UN sanctions and international pressure.