Speech at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament
Reiterates Stance on Nuclear Development for Self-Defense
North Korea has asserted to the international community that it is pursuing nuclear development as an act of self-defense in response to what it claims are advance preparations for nuclear war by the United States and South Korea.
On July 30 (local time), Park Incheol, President of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, reiterated the claim that North Korea is pursuing nuclear development for self-defense in response to threats from the United States and others, while attending the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Switzerland.
At the sixth session of the conference held in Geneva that day, Park stated, "The United States and the Republic of Korea have entered the most critical stage of preparations to make nuclear war a reality," and added, "This is compelling our republic to take all necessary measures to respond to this geopolitical crisis."
He emphasized, "A peaceful and stable environment is more urgent for our republic than ever before," and argued, "Having the ability to proactively respond to security threats is a matter of vital importance for safeguarding our nation's sovereignty, security interests, and territorial stability, and at the same time, it is also an active contribution to the peace of the region and the world."
He also mentioned the direction of North Korea's education and health policies, and said, "Our people, firmly united in patriotism around Comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, are achieving miraculous successes in the struggle for the comprehensive development of the nation."
He went on to declare, "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea will never tolerate the coercion and arbitrary actions of the United States and its followers, who are trying to maintain a hegemonic unipolar order."
Woo Wonshik, Speaker of the National Assembly, who is visiting Switzerland to attend the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, listened to Park's speech at the conference hall that day. However, there was no separate meeting between Speaker Woo and President Park on this occasion.
After his speech, Park left the conference hall under the escort of security personnel without answering reporters' questions regarding the recent statement by Kim Yo Jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea.
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is a summit meeting of parliaments hosted every five years by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
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