North Korea says its nuclear status is irreversible

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued two statements over the weekend, rejecting renewed international demands for denuclearization. A spokesperson declared that North Korea’s nuclear status is 'finally and irreversibly concluded,' dismissing criticism from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and European countries as attempts at nuclear confrontation. The statements condemned joint military exercises and arms transactions among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, framing them as threats requiring strengthened self-defense capabilities. North Korea also referenced a joint declaration from the sixth meeting of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group, which reaffirmed denuclearization goals and extended deterrence measures. A separate statement from North Korea’s Department 10 criticized South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, calling his government’s stance on denuclearization a betrayal of peace commitments. The statement accused Seoul of abandoning neutrality and acting as a hostile U.S. ally, though it avoided direct personal attacks by referring to Lee as 'the South Korean ruler.' South Korea’s presidential office dismissed the statements as restatements of existing positions, reaffirming its commitment to reducing tensions and pursuing peace. The emergence of Department 10—a newly identified Foreign Ministry division—sparked speculation about its role, with defectors suggesting it may specialize in inter-Korean communications, potentially under Kim Yo Jong’s influence. Analysts noted the shift in messaging structure, with Kim Yo Jong likely continuing to oversee inter-Korean statements when authorized by Kim Jong Un. The use of Department 10’s spokesperson marks a possible operational change in how Pyongyang communicates with Seoul, though its exact function remains unclear.