DPRK says will ‘never tolerate’ US accusation of nuke program

In this photo taken on June 25, 2022, people attend a mass rally to mark the "day of struggle against US imperialism", on the 72nd anniversary of the three-year Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950, at the plaza of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang. (KIM WONG JIN / AFP)

SEOUL – The Democratic People's Republic of Korea warned it will "never tolerate" the United States' criticism of the isolated country's nuclear program, calling Washington the "kingpin of nuclear proliferation" and saying it would not allow any encroachment of its sovereign rights.

The DPRK's permanent mission to the United Nations issued the statement on Wednesday as diplomats gathered in New York for a month-long UN conference to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The DPRK's permanent mission to the United Nations issued the statement on Wednesday as diplomats gathered in New York for a month-long UN conference to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during the meeting the DPRK "continues to expand its unlawful nuclear program" and "is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test."

"It is the peak of busy blaming that the United States alleges somebody's 'nuclear threats' given the fact that it is the kingpin of nuclear proliferation," the DPRK said in the statement.

The DPRK also said it pulled out of the non-proliferation treaty a long time ago, so nobody had the right to impinge on the country's right to self-defense.

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"We will never tolerate any attempt by the US and its servile forces to groundlessly accuse our State and encroach upon our sovereign rights and national interests," the DPRK said in its statement.

Last week, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un said his country was ready to mobilize its nuclear war deterrent and counter any US military clash.

The parliament speakers of the Republic of Korea and the United States expressed on Thursday their concerns over the DPRK and agreed to support efforts to maintain strong and extended deterrence.

A joint statement was issued after ROK National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met with US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Seoul.

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