The G7’s call for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program has been met with a strong response from Pyongyang, which accuses the U.S. and allies of hypocrisy and nuclear provocation. The tensions surrounding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, which poses significant challenges to regional security, are underscored by joint G7 efforts to address cyber threats and military cooperation among member nations. Diplomatic coordination is emphasized as crucial to counter North Korea’s nuclear status.
The Group of Seven (G7) has called for the cessation of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, provoking a vehement rebuttal from Pyongyang. The North Korean government accused the United States and its allies of escalating tensions that could lead to nuclear conflict. Both the North Korean embassy in China and the U.S. State Department were approached for comments by Newsweek outside regular office hours.
Citing continuous U.S. “provocations,” the Kim Jong Un regime uses these incidents to justify its nuclear advancements, which are acknowledged and sanctioned by the United Nations. The Federation of American Scientists estimates that North Korea possesses approximately 50 nuclear warheads, creating significant unease in South Korea, where over 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed under a nuclear deterrent framework.
During a recent summit in Quebec, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other G7 foreign ministers, addressed various geopolitical issues, including tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly related to China. In their resolutions, the G7 nations urged North Korea to dismantle all nuclear arms and related ballistic missile programs in accordance with prior United Nations Security Council mandates.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry condemned the G7’s positions as hypocritical—asserting that the collective actions of these nations pose a threat to global peace. They claimed, “The chief criminals wrecking global peace, security, and the international nuclear nonproliferation system are condemning the just war deterrence of a sovereign state.”
The ministry emphasized that the United States has historically been the only nation to deploy nuclear weapons in warfare, alleging that U.S. military drills with South Korea exacerbate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, it criticized the United Kingdom for purportedly developing nuclear submarines for Australia and suggested a potential reintroduction of U.S. nuclear weapons to British soil.
Moreover, the French president’s intent to extend France’s nuclear deterrence to its European allies was characterized by Pyongyang as a move toward increased European nuclear capability, with the G7 viewed as engaging in “illegal and malicious nuclear proliferation.”
The G7 issued statements addressing the threats posed by North Korea, including the activities of state-sponsored hackers linked to the regime, who reportedly have stolen approximately $1.2 billion in cryptocurrency. Additionally, North Korean and Iranian military support for Russia was condemned as part of the overall G7 joint statement.
In commentary on deterrence strategies, Taehyun Kim from Korea National Defense University highlighted the necessity for a robust deterrent strategy that integrates diplomatic efforts among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan to prevent formal acknowledgment of North Korea as a nuclear state by Russia and China.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who engaged in multiple high-profile meetings with Kim Jong Un, hinted at the possibility of future discussions, saying, “I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un, and we’ll see what happens, but certainly he’s a nuclear power.”
In summary, the G7’s condemnation of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions has sparked strong reactions from Pyongyang, which accuses the U.S. and its allies of hypocrisy and escalating tensions. North Korea’s nuclear capabilities remain a critical concern for regional stability, compelling the G7 to maintain a unified stance against its nuclear developments and state-sponsored cyber threats. Continuous diplomatic efforts are essential to prevent North Korea’s recognition as a nuclear power by other states.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
