Pyongyang: North Korea declared on Saturday that its nuclear weapons are not intended as bargaining tools but are designed for combat use against any attempts to invade the country. This statement reinforces North Korea's commitment to further developing its nuclear arsenal.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the North's announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump's indication of his intention to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This development raises the possibility that Trump may seek to revive summit diplomacy concerning North Korea's nuclear weapons during his second term.
North Korea emphasized through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that its nuclear weapons are not subject to negotiation for financial incentives. The KCNA commentary stated, "Our country's nuclear force is invariably for real combat use in a bid to swiftly cut out the origin of any invasion attempt by hostile forces that infringe upon the country's sovereign right and people's safety, and threaten regional peace."