North Korea declares nuclear status non‑negotiable before Xi Jinping's visit

Kim Yo‑jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un, wrote in the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun that the regime’s nuclear‑power status is “absolutely non‑negotiable” and that “we will not tolerate any threat.” The statement reiterates a constitutional amendment made in 2023 that enshrines the irreversibility of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, which the regime counts on as a guarantee against invasion.

The remarks come hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to North Korea, underscoring Beijing’s role as Pyongyang’s main economic ally. While the United States, South Korea and other partners continue to demand complete denuclearisation as a condition for lifting sanctions, North Korea cites recent U.S. military actions in Iran and Venezuela as justification for maintaining its deterrent. Analysts note that China supplies roughly 95% of North Korea’s trade, viewing the regime as a strategic buffer on the Korean Peninsula.