North Korea rejects US denuclearization calls, vows to strengthen nuclear arsenal

North Korea nuclear arsenal denuclearization Freedom Edge exercises Ulchi Freedom Shield US-North Korea relations

North Korea has rejected United States calls for denuclearization, vowing to continue strengthening its nuclear arsenal. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pyongyang accused Washington of maintaining a confrontational stance through its insistence on complete denuclearization, criticism of human rights, and planned trilateral military exercises with South Korea and Japan.

The North Korean government asserted that its nuclear weapons serve as an ‘absolute guarantee’ for the defense of its sovereignty and that its nuclear status will not be weakened by American pressure. Officials stated that expecting a reduction in regional tensions under current US policies is ‘pointless’ and noted that there has been no change in North Korea's policy toward the United States.

These remarks follow President Donald Trump's recent decision to significantly reduce the scale of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between the US and South Korea, citing his ‘very good relationship’ with Kim Jong Un and the high cost of the maneuvers. However, Kim Yo Jong, sister of the North Korean leader, characterized the reduced-scale exercises as remaining ‘provocative and aggressive.’

Additionally, North Korea criticized the upcoming Freedom Edge trilateral exercises, scheduled for September 7–11, which aim to improve coordination against nuclear and missile threats.

Entities

Donald Trump · Kim Jong Un · Kim Yo Jong · North Korea · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong stated that military exercises remain provocative and aggressive despite reduced scale. fakti.bg · kuruc.info · www.rmf24.pl · 24.hu
[● 4 SOURCES] President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in the scale of annual US-South Korea military exercises. fakti.bg · kuruc.info · www.rmf24.pl · 24.hu
[● 4 SOURCES] North Korea will continue to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. fakti.bg · kuruc.info · www.rmf24.pl · 24.hu
[● 4 SOURCES] North Korea's nuclear status is an absolute guarantee of its sovereignty. fakti.bg · kuruc.info · www.rmf24.pl · 24.hu
[● 4 SOURCES] The US is violating North Korea's sovereignty, political system, and security interests. fakti.bg · kuruc.info · www.rmf24.pl · 24.hu