Kim Jong Un: "Security Guarantee Centered on Nuclear Power is Our Absolutely Unchanging Stance"

Meeting with Nuclear Scientists and Technicians for 'Important Consultations'… "Nuclear Response Posture Continues to Evolve, an Unchangeable Obligation"

Appears to have reiterated 'no renunciation of nuclear weapons' stance, while maintaining the US and South Korea's final goal of denuclearization.

 (Pyongyang, KCNA/Yonhap News) Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, during an on-site inspection of nuclear material production bases and nuclear weapons research institutes in January. 2025.1.29 

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, stated that a "logic of peace maintenance and security guarantee based on strong deterrence, that is, nuclear power, is our absolutely unchanging stance" during a meeting with nuclear-related scientists and technicians.

This is interpreted as a reiteration of the "no renunciation of nuclear weapons" position, in response to the US and South Korean governments still maintaining denuclearization as their final goal, despite North Korea's stance that it can engage in dialogue with the US on the premise of being recognized as a nuclear power.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 27th that Chairman Kim presided over important consultations related to nuclear material and nuclear weapon production on the previous day, meeting with scientists and technicians from nuclear-related fields, including the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute.

Reminding of his speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on the 21st, Chairman Kim stated, "The continuous evolution of the nation's nuclear response posture is an essential top priority task for the Republic's security environment."

He further asserted that this is "the most accurate choice for the nation's present and future, and an unchangeable obligation that we must uphold."

Chairman Kim said, "We must incessantly hone and renew the nuclear shield and sword that can reliably guarantee the nation's sovereign security, interests, and right to development," adding, "The Party and the government of the Republic will prioritize the provision and support of all possibilities and conditions for the continuous development of the nuclear technology sector."

At the meeting, Chairman Kim heard a report on the "progress of the capacity expansion plan" for the nuclear material production sector this year and grasped the recent work and important production activities of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, according to KCNA.

He expressed satisfaction, stating, "As a result of thoroughly fulfilling the two tasks of our Party's new major strategy by the nuclear material production sector and the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, crucial links in the advancement of our nation's nuclear capabilities have been perfectly resolved." However, North Korean media did not specify what these "two tasks" were.

Additionally, Chairman Kim grasped the scale and development prospects of the work planned by these institutions for next year and praised them, saying, "I joyfully highly appraise the ever-growing nuclear technology capacity and strengthened capabilities of our country."

He reiterated, "Possessing strategic nuclear technological potential is a great encouragement for our Party," and emphasized, "It is a reliable guarantee for the struggle of our people, the victorious advance of our cause, and the future security."

Hong Sung Mu, First Deputy Director of the Party's Munitions Industry Department, known as the "overall in charge of nuclear development," accompanied Chairman Kim at these important consultations. Yonhap News