North Korea has rejected an IAEA resolution criticizing its weapons program, with Kim Yo Jong and the Foreign Ministry declaring the country's nuclear status "irreversible" and "absolute." Pyongyang accuses the UN watchdog of double standards for ignoring US and South Korean military activities. Meanwhile, Vice Defence Minister Kim Kang Il justified nuclear expansion in response to US-Seoul-Tokyo security cooperation, as Kim Jong Un inspected munitions factories amid reports of military modernization aided by Russia.
North Korea nuclear status declaration
- ▪North Korea's Foreign Ministry and Kim Yo Jong declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapons state is permanent, absolute, and irreversible.
- ▪Kim Yo Jong called international expectations for North Korea's denuclearisation the "silly talk" of "idiots" in a statement released on September 17, 2026.
IAEA resolution criticism
- ▪Kim Yo Jong accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of double standards and a biased viewpoint following its resolution criticizing North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
- ▪Kim Yo Jong stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency ignored nuclear proliferation by the United States and South Korea's nuclear submarine introduction plan.
US-South Korea-Japan security cooperation
- ▪North Korea's Vice Defence Minister Kim Kang Il stated that the growing military buildup and security cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan justify North Korea's nuclear expansion.
- ▪The United States, South Korea, and Japan concluded their five-day Freedom Edge 26 trilateral military exercise on September 11, 2026.
- ▪North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on September 12, 2026, as part of a joint firepower attack drill.
Kim Jong Un munitions inspections
- ▪Kim Jong Un conducted a three-day inspection tour of major North Korean munitions factories during the week of September 14, 2026.
- ▪Kim Jong Un stated during his munitions factory tour that modernizing North Korea's defense capabilities is bringing a significant change to its armed forces.
North Korea-Russia military cooperation
- ▪Analysts state that North Korea has been overhauling its military with Russian assistance since signing a mutual defense treaty in 2024.
- ▪Analysts state that combat experience gained by North Korean troops deployed to the war in Ukraine has aided North Korea's military overhaul.
Debatable claims
- ▪Complete denuclearization of North Korea is no longer a realistic diplomatic goal
- ▪US-led trilateral military exercises in East Asia provoke rather than deter North Korea
- ▪The United States should resume direct presidential-level summits with Kim Jong Un
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