North Korea: The Nuclear Situation is 'Irreversible'

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

Kim Yo Jong stated in a statement published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency that the agency's "biased perspective and double standards" are the "main factors causing the collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime."

She added that the agency turned a blind eye to the "blatant nuclear proliferation activities" of the United States and the "South Korean plan to introduce nuclear submarines," while forcibly adopting a resolution against North Korea's "defensive and legitimate nuclear activities."

In a separate statement to the Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean Foreign Ministry also rejected the resolution, declaring that its status as an irreversible nuclear power is supported 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.

Kim was quoted as saying that North Korea's efforts to modernize all components of its defense capabilities are bringing about a "significant change" in the composition and means of its armed forces.

Analysts say that North Korea has been working to reform its military with Russian assistance since the two countries signed a mutual defense treaty in 2024.

They point out that the combat experience gained by Pyongyang's forces deployed in the ongoing war in Ukraine has also contributed to these efforts.

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