Pyongyang, September 22, 2025 – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has once again reaffirmed his country’s uncompromising stance on nuclear weapons, declaring that Pyongyang will “never” abandon its atomic arsenal. Speaking at the Supreme People’s Assembly on September 20-21, Kim described the nuclear program as a shield against what he called unrelenting U.S. aggression. He invoked the downfall of past regimes that surrendered their weapons as justification for refusing to disarm, sending a clear message that North Korea’s nuclear status is now non-negotiable.
“The world already knows well what the United States does after it forces a country to give up its weapons and disarm it,” Kim stated, in a pointed reference to Libya, Iraq, and Ukraine. His remarks, carried by state media KCNA, came at a moment of rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises underway—maneuvers that Pyongyang denounces as “rehearsals for invasion.”
At the same time, whispers of renewed diplomacy are growing louder, especially with U.S. President Donald Trump expressing openness to a possible fourth summit with Kim. Yet, with North Korea believed to possess around 50 assembled nuclear warheads and enough fissile material for up to 90 more, the balance of power in potential talks has shifted significantly since the Trump-Kim meetings of 2018 and 2019.
A Conditional Olive Branch
Despite the defiant tone, Kim’s address contained hints of openness to dialogue. He reminisced about his “fond memories” and “good personal relations” with Trump during their past summits, suggesting that Pyongyang is not opposed to talks if Washington drops its demand for “complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization” (CVID).
“There is no reason to avoid talks with the U.S. if it stops insisting on denuclearization,” Kim said, while stressing that North Korea’s nuclear program—enshrined in the constitution as “irreversible”—remains central to its survival.
This softer note followed a series of recent weapons developments:
In August 2025, Kim ordered a rapid expansion of North Korea’s nuclear stockpile, citing U.S.-South Korea military exercises as proof of hostile intent. State media also highlighted progress in naval capabilities, including the planned completion of a third 5,000-tonne destroyer by October 2026.
On September 8, Kim personally oversaw the successful test of a high-thrust, solid-fuel missile engine built with carbon fiber composites, calling it a “significant change” for North Korea’s nuclear strategic forces.
Earlier in September, Kim traveled to Beijing to attend a Chinese military parade—his sixth summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping—signaling deepening ties with both Russia and China. Both countries have shielded North Korea from new United Nations sanctions, strengthening Pyongyang’s position internationally.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung recently estimated that North Korea could be producing 15 to 20 nuclear bombs annually. He proposed a “freeze-for-freeze” deal, where North Korea would halt further production in exchange for eased sanctions. However, Kim’s latest remarks suggest little appetite for incremental concessions of this kind.
The Historical Lessons: Libya, Iraq, and Ukraine
Kim’s repeated references to history reveal the foundation of North Korea’s nuclear strategy. For Pyongyang, the examples of Libya, Iraq, and Ukraine serve as proof that disarmament invites destruction or betrayal.
Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi gave up nuclear, chemical, and biological programs in 2003, hoping for improved ties with the West. Eight years later, U.S. and NATO forces bombed Libya, contributing to Gaddafi’s overthrow and death. North Korea portrays this as the ultimate cautionary tale.
Iraq’s Saddam Hussein dismantled much of his weapons program under United Nations inspection after the Gulf War. Yet in 2003, the U.S. invaded on false claims of hidden stockpiles. Pyongyang argues this shows disarmament only makes a country more vulnerable.
Ukraine gave up its inherited Soviet nuclear arsenal under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, receiving security guarantees in return. Those assurances collapsed when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. For North Korea, this is proof that international promises cannot replace self-reliance.
These examples are deeply ingrained in North Korea’s political messaging. In fact, when U.S. official John Bolton invoked the “Libya model” during talks in 2018, it nearly derailed the Singapore summit between Trump and Kim.
Implications for Diplomacy and Security
Analysts believe Kim’s latest speech is more than fiery rhetoric; it is part of a calculated strategy to cement North Korea’s recognition as a de facto nuclear power, akin to Pakistan or Israel. By pointing to history, strengthening ties with Russia and China, and showcasing missile advancements, Kim seeks to ensure his regime’s survival and bargaining power on the world stage.
Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Foundation noted that Kim is “negotiating from strength: more warheads, Russian backing, and Trump’s ego in play.” South Korea’s President Lee has urged Trump to take the lead in diplomacy, but North Korea’s growing military involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine complicates matters. Pyongyang has reportedly sent over a million artillery shells and more than 11,000 troops to support Moscow, making U.S. cooperation more difficult.
The risks on the Korean Peninsula remain high. Miscalculations during missile launches could spark escalation, and North Korea’s cyber operations pose ongoing threats. Yet, if Trump agrees to talks, they are unlikely to mirror the breakdown of Hanoi in 2019. Unlike then, Kim is no longer bluffing about his nuclear arsenal—his weapons are real, expanding, and now embedded in North Korea’s identity.
As Kim concluded his speech, he emphasized the existential nature of nuclear weapons for his regime: “It was a matter of survival.” For the international community, ignoring that message may prove costly.
