• North Korea confirms it is not bound by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• Pyongyang's status as a nuclear-armed state remains unchanged, despite external pressures.
• The nation vows to strengthen its nuclear capabilities, declaring its nuclear path as "irreversible."

North Korea's UN ambassador, Kim Song, declared that the country will not be bound by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and that external pressures will not alter its status as a nuclear-armed state. This statement was delivered amidst ongoing discussions at the UN regarding the NPT, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament, reports Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Le Monde.

North Korea officially withdrew from the NPT in 2003, having conducted six nuclear tests since then, and is believed to possess dozens of nuclear warheads. “The status of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a nuclear-armed state will not change based on external rhetorical claims or unilateral desires,” Kim stated, emphasizing Pyongyang's enduring stance on its nuclear capabilities, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Le Monde.

The NPT, which came into force in 1970, seeks to eliminate nuclear weapons and promote safe nuclear energy. However, the treaty's credibility has been questioned amid increasing signs of nuclear proliferation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that “trust and credibility are wearing thin. The drivers of proliferation are accelerating,” highlighting the challenges facing non-proliferation efforts globally, as reported by South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

As tensions escalate, North Korea has also provided military support to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, with reports indicating that it receives military technology assistance from Moscow. This collaboration further complicates the geopolitical landscape regarding nuclear weapons, according to South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.