North Korea cites distrust and confrontation at UN General Assembly — PBS NewsHour
North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong said during the general debate of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States, that the world is experiencing unprecedented mutual distrust and confrontation. He also said that Pyongyang intends to achieve its goals by relying on its own strength. This was reported by PBS NewsHour, citing the Associated Press.
Statements on multipolarity
Kim Son Gyong said that the days when one state could unilaterally impose its will on others and dominate the international political arena have passed. According to him, multilateralism and multipolarity have become the trend of the times, based on justice and equality.
The North Korean representative also reiterated Pyongyang's position that the country is prepared to defend itself against any external threats. He said that no physical conflict has occurred on and around the Korean Peninsula thanks to North Korea's possession of powerful means of war deterrence.
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Nuclear deterrence and criticism of allies
Kim Son Gyong described North Korea's nuclear deterrence as a force intended to protect sovereignty, security and peace from external aggression and threats. He also said that the balance of power in East Asia is allegedly maintained by North Korea's defensive capabilities.
The diplomat condemned cooperation among the United States, South Korea and Japan, portraying it as a factor that provokes North Korea and destabilizes the Korean Peninsula. He did not mention North Korea's role in the tensions, including its periodic missile launches. Two days before the start of the UN session at which Kim Son Gyong spoke, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea.
According to the Associated Press, the Pyongyang representative's speech was relatively restrained by North Korean rhetorical standards: it contained no direct threats or announcements of specific steps capable of destabilizing the region.
