North Korea raps G7 for interference over denuclearization

North Korea has condemned the Group of Seven (G7) countries after what Pyongyang described as the bloc’s unlawful meddling in the nation’s domestic affairs by calling on the country to scrap its nuclear weapons which it sees as a deterrent force against its enemies.

On Friday, North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui accused the G7 countries’ top diplomats of illegally interfering in North Korea's internal affairs by demanding denuclearization.

Choe insisted that North Korea's status as a nuclear power  was "final and irreversible" and it will "continue necessary action" until military threats from the United States and its allies are eliminated, and the hostile environment that impedes our independent existence and development is fundamentally ended,” North Korea's state media KCNA reported.

Pyongyang’s development of nuclear weapons was only intended to guard against US threats, she said, urging Washington to drop its “hostile policy” against the North to ensure its own security.

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Tehran urges the Group of Seven countries to replace its confrontational stance with a realistic one based on mutual respect.

“It is an anachronistic idea if you think that only Washington has the right and capability to carry out a nuclear strike,” KCNA quoted her as saying.

“As long as we have the strength to hit back against US nuclear threats, we will never seek recognition or approval from anyone.”

She warned the G7 ministers that Pyongyang will take strong action if they attempt to violate its sovereignty and fundamental interests, KCNA added.

In a communique released on Tuesday at the end of the meeting of G7's top diplomats in Japan, the group called on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear deterrence.

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“We demand North Korea refrain from any other destabilizing or provocative actions, including any further nuclear tests or launches that use ballistic missile technology,” the communique emphasized while adding that future actions by Pyongyang “must be met with a swift, united and robust international response, including further significant measures to be taken by the UN Security Council.”

“It is critical that sanctions be fully and scrupulously implemented by all states and remain in place for as long as North Korea’s WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missile programs exist,” the G7 ministers said.

North Korea's leader calls for 'more practical, offensive' war deterrence to counter US, South aggression

North Korea

In the meantime, tension has flared in recent weeks as Pyongyang has ramped up military activities and threatened “more practical and offensive” action as US and South Korean forces conduct joint military exercises.

North Korea sees the joint exercises as a rehearsal for invasion, calling the drills military training for “an all-out, nuclear war” against North Korea.

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