“Denuclearisation is the line of no retreat that can never be crossed,” Kim was quoted as saying, adding that anyone who tried to hurt the core interests of a nuclear weapons state would be making “the worst option of inviting disaster”.
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Kim also said North Korea’s nuclear weapons were a self-defensive deterrent acquired in response to what she called persistent nuclear threats from its enemies, and described them as a “cornerstone” for ensuring peace.
North Korean sanctions ‘aren’t working’ says South Korean president
She said arguments calling for denuclearisation were “completely out of date” and would not change no matter how loudly any group criticised North Korea’s nuclear programme.
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In a joint statement issued on Wednesday after their summit, G7 leaders expressed “deep concern” about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and reaffirmed their commitment to the country’s complete denuclearisation in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.