North Korea

North Korea has vowed to keep its nuclear weapons permanently, rejecting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s renewed call for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Thursday that Pyongyang would maintain its nuclear arsenal “through all ages”. She described the country’s nuclear status as irreversible and said it would remain unchanged.

Her remarks came a day after Lee told the UN General Assembly that South Korea wanted to stop the further expansion of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and eventually achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Lee also said Seoul would work to create conditions for renewed dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington. US President Donald Trump has previously said he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.

Meanwhile, North Korea said it had tested an upgraded 240mm multiple-launch rocket system on September 22. According to state media, the weapons can strike targets up to 115 kilometres away.

North Korea’s vice foreign minister is expected to address the UN General Assembly next week.