Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea [Captured from the KCNA website]

Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, condemned and rejected the inclusion of the phrase "complete denuclearization of North Korea" in the G7 summit joint declaration, labeling it an "act of overstepping authority," and reiterated that the country will firmly maintain its nuclear weapons status.

In a statement released via the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the 18th, Vice Department Director Kim expressed strong dissatisfaction and regret over the G7's call for denuclearization, stating, "We express our strong dissatisfaction and regret over the G7's act of overstepping its authority, which constitutes a direct infringement upon our national constitution, and we condemn and reject it in the strongest possible terms."

She criticized the G7, calling it "the primary culprit destroying world peace, security, and the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," and asserted that it "has neither the qualification nor the right to discuss or challenge the sovereign choices of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

Kim pointed out, "They surely know that 'denuclearization,' which is a settled issue, can never be achieved, and if they truly do not know, it only reveals their lack of political judgment and deficiency in common sense."

"There would be nothing more foolish than sitting idly by in the face of military threats accompanied by nuclear weapons," she argued, adding, "The nuclear weapons we have acquired to protect ourselves against the constant and persistent nuclear threats from our adversaries are of no concern to anyone other than those who seek to harm us."

By doing so, she claimed that North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons is not for offensive purposes but a legitimate means of deterrence for regime defense.

Kim emphasized, "Nuclear weapons are a powerful means of defending sovereignty granted by our republic's law and are the cornerstone of peace security," adding, "Our nuclear arsenal, as a self-defensive and counter-measure, will remain permanent and immutable in its identity and existence."

She further threatened, "Nuclear possession is our core interest that must be maintained at all costs, and 'denuclearization' is a red line that can never be crossed," warning that "under any circumstances, and for anyone, tampering with the core interests of a nuclear-armed state will lead to the worst, most catastrophic choice."

The G7 leaders, gathered in Évian-les-Bains, France, expressed deep concern over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in their joint declaration on the 17th (local time) and urged the "realization of North Korea's complete denuclearization in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions."

Leaders of invited countries, including South Korea, India, Kenya, Brazil, and Egypt, also signed the joint declaration in agreement with the matter.