North Korea, through a statement by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, has told the United States that it must be recognized as a nuclear power if bilateral talks between the two countries are to be resumed.

This demand comes at a time when relations between Pyongyang and Washington remain tense, and it underscores the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) uncompromising position on its nuclear program. According to a report by the Japanese news agency Kyodo News, published on their website english.kyodonews.net, Kim Yo-jong, a high-ranking official of the Korean Workers' Party, stated in state media that "recognizing the irreversible position of the DPRK as a nuclear power... should be a prerequisite for anticipating and considering everything in the future." With this statement, North Korea has made it clear that any progress in diplomatic negotiations is contingent upon the United States accepting its nuclear status.

A similar tone is echoed in an article on the NBC News website, also dated the same day. It quotes Kim Yo-jong as saying that while the relationship between Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Donald Trump was "not bad," the United States must accept the DPRK as a nuclear power. This stance reflects Pyongyang's long-term strategy of seeking to legitimize its nuclear arsenal on the international stage, despite UN sanctions and criticism from the global community.

The last known nuclear test by North Korea took place in 2017, as part of a series of tests that drew international condemnation and led to increased sanctions. Since then, the DPRK has continued to develop its nuclear program, including ballistic missiles and potentially miniaturizing nuclear warheads. Kim Yo-jong's statement emphasized that the country's nuclear status is "irreversible," signaling that Pyongyang has no intention of abandoning its nuclear ambitions.

Diplomatic talks between the United States and North Korea stalled after a failed summit in Hanoi in 2019, when Trump and Kim Jong-un could not agree on the terms of denuclearization and sanctions relief. Since then, relations between the two countries have deteriorated, with North Korea repeatedly accusing the United States of pursuing a "hostile policy." The demand for recognition of its nuclear status could be another obstacle to resuming dialogue.

International analysts believe that this rhetoric is part of the DPRK's strategy to strengthen its negotiating position. "North Korea wants to be seen as an equal partner, not as a country that must be disarmed," said an expert on the Korean peninsula in an interview with NBC News. However, this position complicates the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough, as the United States and its allies insist on complete denuclearization as a condition for normalizing relations.

While North Korea continues to emphasize its nuclear program, the international community remains divided on how to respond to the situation. Some diplomats have suggested a partial easing of sanctions in exchange for limitations on nuclear activities, while others warn that any concessions could strengthen Pyongyang's position. Kim Yo-jong's statement makes it clear that the DPRK is prepared to maintain a hard line until its demands are met.

gnews.cz - GH