Rubio Describes North Korea as ‘Nuclear Armed’ Country

Seoul: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described North Korea as a "nuclear-armed" country in an apparent recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons capabilities, despite the Trump administration's stated commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of the North. Rubio used the expression in a podcast interview released Wednesday, as he pointed to a series of security challenges facing the United States, including those from China, Russia and Iran.According to Yonhap News Agency, Rubio stated, "We live in a world with a nuclear-armed North Korea, with a nuclear-ambitious Iran," during the podcast hosted by The Free Press. This statement was made available through a transcript provided by the State Department. He reflected on the current security landscape compared to 20 years ago when the U.S. was considered a "unipolar power."President Donald Trump has previously referred to North Korea as a "nuclear power," acknowledging that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un possesses "a lot of nuclear weapons." This expression has sparked concerns that it might be seen as official U.S. recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities, potentially bolstering Kim's regime's legitimacy.Some observers suggest that the reference to North Korea as a nuclear power may be a strategic move to encourage the North to return to the negotiating table.