North Korea Condemns Korea-Japan-China Joint Declaration on 'Denuclearization' as "Mockery of the International Community"

Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Revealed

North Korea stated on the 27th that “South Korea’s mere mention of 'denuclearization' and 'peace and stability' is a mockery of regional countries and the international community” in response to the inclusion of denuclearization issues in the joint declaration of the Korea-Japan-China summit.

The joint declaration of the Korea-Japan-China summit released that day included the content reaffirming that “peace, stability, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia are our common interests and shared responsibilities.” China emphasized “regional peace and stability,” South Korea emphasized “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” and Japan included phrases emphasizing the “abduction issue.”

In a statement distributed through the Korean Central News Agency on the same day, a spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Regarding the serious political provocation that denies the constitutional status of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) at an international conference led by South Korea, we strongly condemn and reject it as a direct challenge to our national sovereignty and a violent interference in internal affairs.”

In the statement, North Korea said, “In the severe security environment where the United States and its follower countries continuously conduct invasion war exercises that threaten regional peace and stability, the word ‘denuclearization’ will only bring about a nuclear crisis, not peace and stability,” and added, “The 'complete denuclearization' of the Korean Peninsula has already been theoretically, practically, and physically nullified.”

It continued, “We will thoroughly protect the dignity, sovereignty, and our constitution of the state and people from all attempts by hostile forces to deny our absolute sovereign rights,” and added, “We will make significant efforts to establish a new regional power structure based on justice and fairness.”