North Korea Defies Atomic Agency: Nuclear Status Is Irreversible

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused the International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday of double standards, following the agency's adoption of a resolution criticizing Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

Kim Yo Jong said in a statement published by the state-run Central News Agency that the agency's biased stance and double standards are "the fundamental factor causing the collapse of the international non-proliferation regime."

She added that the agency has turned a blind eye to the "obvious nuclear proliferation activities" of the United States and South Korea's plan to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, while forcing adoption of a resolution against North Korea's "defensive and legitimate nuclear activities."

In a separate statement from the Central News Agency of North Korea, the country's Foreign Ministry also rejected the resolution, declaring its status as a nuclear power irreversible and backed by its nuclear deterrent capabilities.

The news agency also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted a three-day inspection tour of major munitions factories this week.

Quoting Kim, the agency said his efforts to modernize all components of North Korea's defense capabilities have brought about "a significant change" in the composition and means of its armed forces.

Analysts say North Korea has been reforming its military with Russian assistance since the two countries signed a mutual defense treaty in 2024. They point to combat experience gained by Pyongyang's forces deployed in the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has also aided these efforts.

The Central News Agency of North Korea also reported that Kim delivered a lecture on Friday at a propaganda training course in Pyongyang, telling attendees that modern "ideological warfare" must be innovative, creative, and offensive, rather than repeating old methods.