N.K. Leader's Sister Dismisses IAEA's Denuclearization Calls

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has rejected calls from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for denuclearization, labeling them as mere 'noises.' In a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), she emphasized that North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state is 'absolute' and cannot be altered.

Her remarks come during the ongoing 70th regular session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, where concerns over North Korea's expanding nuclear capabilities have been raised. The IAEA has urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program in a manner that is complete, verifiable, and irreversible, in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Ahead of the conference, the IAEA published a report indicating significant increases in North Korea's uranium enrichment capacity and the expansion of its nuclear facilities. In response, Kim Yo-jong dismissed these international calls as 'not surprising and not new,' asserting that they would have no impact on North Korea's resolve to defend its national interests.

She stated, 'No matter how desperately the IAEA and the West may hold periodic meetings, they can have no effect on the will and ability of the DPRK.' Kim further claimed that the nuclear position of North Korea is now 'permanently settled' both physically and legally, and that no external pressures could reverse this development.