North Korea said it is not bound by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) after the issue of Pyongyang’s nuclear program was discussed at a review meeting for the treaty.
In a statement released through Korean Central News Agency on May 7, North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song said the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea “is not bound by the NPT under any circumstances.”
Kim argued that some countries, led by the United States, were undermining the atmosphere of the conference by questioning what he described as North Korea’s status and sovereign rights as a nuclear-armed state outside the treaty framework.
“I strongly condemn and reject in the harshest terms the gangster-like and shameless behavior of specific countries, including the United States, that take issue with the DPRK’s legitimate nuclear possession and sovereign right to self-defense achieved through lawful procedures,” he said.
Kim further claimed that North Korea had transparently exercised its right to withdraw from the treaty under Article 10 of the NPT, adding that attempts by the United States and Western countries to force Pyongyang to comply with treaty obligations constituted a violation of the spirit of the agreement and international law.
He also accused the United States and its allies of failing to fulfill nuclear disarmament obligations while engaging in activities such as providing extended nuclear deterrence and transferring nuclear submarine technology to non-nuclear states.
Kim said North Korea would continue fulfilling what he described as obligations under its national nuclear force policy law and constitution, which codify the country’s legal status as a nuclear weapons state. He added that Pyongyang would contribute to international peace, security, and global strategic stability.
The NPT, adopted by the United Nations in 1968, is a cornerstone international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. North Korea announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 1993.
The 11th NPT Review Conference has been taking place at U.N. headquarters since April 27.