According to the North Korean permanent delegation to the United Nations Office in Vienna, its nuclear status has been permanently stipulated in the highest and basic laws of Pyongyang.
The delegation also called the US's move to promote denutiarization a "provocational act" when trying to intervene in North Korea's internal affairs.
According to the North Korean representative to the United Nations, the country's maintenance of nuclear weapons is seen as an "inevitable choice" to protect the country from potential external threats.
Meanwhile, North Korean officials said that US nuclear deterrence is becoming increasingly tense, while Washington's allies, which also possess nuclear weapons, are increasingly hesitant "in confrontations".
Notably, the new North Korean statement comes at the same time as an offshore drill between the US and South Korea in the area around Jeju Island (South Korea). The exercise, called freedom Edge 25, will take place from September 15 and is expected to end on September 19.
Previously, on September 14, Vice Chairman of the North Central Military Commission Pak Jong-chon said that Pyongyang considered drills like the 25th freedom Ring Road as a serious challenge to the national security interests.
A major threat weakens regional stability as well as escalates military tensions, Pak Jong-chon said.
