CNN
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North Korea passed a new law declaring itself a nuclear weapons state in a move leader Kim Jong Un says “unchangeable.”
Kim vowed the country would “never give up” nuclear weapons and said there could be no talks on denuclearization as he praised the passage of the law, North Korean state media reported on Thursday. Friday.
The new law also respects Pyongyang’s right to use pre-emptive nuclear strikes to defend itself – updating its previous stance under which it said it would keep its weapons only until when other countries denuclearize and will not use them before denuclearization countries.
Nuclear weapons represent “the dignity, the body and the absolute power of the state,” Kim said, welcoming the country’s decision. rubber stamp parliament – Supreme People’s Assembly – adopts new law in a unanimous vote.
“The passage of laws and regulations related to the national nuclear force policy is a remarkable event because it is our statement that we use war deterrence,” Kim said. as a legitimate means of national defense.
“As long as nuclear weapons exist on Earth, and the imperialism and anti-Korean activities of the United States and its followers, our path to nuclear consolidation will never be the same. end”.
The new law also prohibits sharing nuclear technology with other countries.
It comes amid rising regional tensions over North Korea’s expansion of its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
Kim has made increasingly provocative threats of nuclear conflict to the United States and its allies in Asia in recent months.
At the same time, the United States is increasingly concerned that North Korea may be preparing to conduct its first underground nuclear test in years.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the law represents Pyongyang’s hope to strengthen ties with China and Russia at a time of heightened global tensions.
“North Korea mentioned the possibility of using nuclear weapons if and when an attack on the state and leader is imminent is critical, even though it claims nuclear weapons are a defensive measure,” he said. last defender,” Yang said.
