Kim Yo Jong: North Korea's Nuclear Status is Irreversible. Xi Jinping's Visit Amidst New Factory Demonstrations

A stern statement has been issued from Pyongyang, which could become a defining factor in upcoming negotiations with Beijing. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the de facto "second-in-command" of the state, officially confirmed that North Korea will never renounce its status as a nuclear power and will not tolerate any external threats. This was reported on Thursday by the state news agency KCNA.

Response to US Claims and the Chairman of China's Visit

Kim Yo Jong's statement comes against the backdrop of preparations for the historic visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Monday. This will be the first visit by a Chinese leader to North Korea in nearly seven years. Beijing aims to strengthen ties with Pyongyang—its only formal ally with which China has a mutual assistance treaty.

Kim Yo Jong explicitly labeled US claims as false, stating that Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump allegedly confirmed a shared goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula during their summit in May. According to the North Korean official, Pyongyang possesses the "most accurate information" regarding these assertions.

"The policy of continuously strengthening nuclear deterrence for self-defense, proclaimed by the head of state, is an irreversible and final decision that must be implemented without any conditions," she emphasized.

Demonstration of Strength: New Factories and Kim Jong Un's Orders

The rhetoric in Pyongyang is backed by concrete actions. Earlier this week, North Korea showcased a new plant for producing nuclear materials. During his visit to the facility, Kim Jong Un called for an "exponential" expansion of the country's nuclear arsenal.

Analysts believe that the opening of the new uranium enrichment facility is intended to bolster Pyongyang's negotiating position ahead of the summit between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un. It also serves as justification for accelerating the development of North Korea's nuclear program.

Parallel to the nuclear issue, Kim Jong Un visited a major ammunition factory. There, he ordered a 2.5-fold increase in missile production capacity over the next five years. These steps indicate that Pyongyang is laying the groundwork for a tough stance in negotiations with China, clearly marking its red lines.