North Korea sent this clear signal through a strong statement by Kim Yo-jong. She declared the nuclear status irreversible and ruled out any denuclearization negotiations. In addition, she rejected US assertions that Washington and Beijing had reaffirmed denuclearization goals in their recent summit. Kim Jong-un backed the position with several high-profile facility inspections. He toured missile production sites and a newly operational nuclear material plant. Furthermore, he directed sharp increases in missile output and naval nuclear forces.
Analysts see these moves as a deliberate effort to set the terms for the summit. Lim Eul-chul notes that Pyongyang aims to stop any potential US-China alignment on the issue. Moreover, strengthened ties with Russia and growing production capacity give North Korea greater leverage. The country therefore enters the meetings with rising confidence.
North Korea simultaneously advances its military reorganization plans. It targets a 2.5-fold expansion in missile manufacturing over the current five-year period. These steps reflect substantial progress in its weapons programs. China has long backed denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Recent China-Russia joint statements however dropped any mention of that objective. North Korea now presses Beijing to accept its nuclear status without compromise.
Experts anticipate that the Xi-Kim meetings will test whether China shifts its traditional policy. Observers will follow the visit closely for any signs of change. This nuclear status approach carries important implications for security and diplomacy across Northeast Asia.
