Seoul: North Korea on Wednesday criticized President Lee Jae Myung's statements regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, labeling him a hypocrite afflicted by "denuclearization paranoia." This denunciation followed Lee's speech in Washington, where he mentioned his agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to closely collaborate on establishing peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea dismissed South Korea's aspirations for denuclearization as futile, emphasizing that it would never relinquish its nuclear arsenal. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) chastised South Korea, referring to it as a "political poor" that has surrendered its sovereignty to the United States and is oblivious to the true nature of the nuclear issue concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The KCNA further criticized Lee Jae Myung, cautioning that his persistent fixation on denuclearization, likened to a "familial disease," would not benefit anyone, particularly the Republic of Korea (ROK). North Korea justified its nuclear weapons program as a necessary measure to counteract threats from adversaries and adapt to global security changes, reiterating its refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it considers integral to its national prestige and honor.
North Korea also accused South Korea of maintaining a confrontational policy against the North, with the Lee administration being no exception. The KCNA condemned Lee as a "confrontation maniac," despite his pretense of wanting to restore ties with North Korea.
During a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Lee reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its dedication to denuclearization. He described North Korea as a "poor but fierce neighbor" and stressed the importance of dialogue in addressing Pyongyang's nuclear issues, rather than relying solely on sanctions.
In an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun before his U.S. visit, Lee outlined a three-stage denuclearization plan for North Korea, beginning with a freeze on its nuclear and missile programs. Since taking office in June, Lee has pledged to repair strained relations with North Korea and resume inter-Korean dialogue. However, Pyongyang has rejected Lee's peace initiatives, asserting its unwillingness to improve ties with Seoul.