Archive · 24 Sep 2026
North Korea Rejects International Call To Halt Nuclear Tests
Several countries asked North Korea not to conduct any more nuclear tests.
They said another test would be irresponsible and unacceptable.
They also urged North Korea to follow United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea rejected the request.
Its foreign ministry called the statement a serious political provocation.
Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed country cannot be reversed.
The United States, South Korea and Japan separately said they still support completely removing North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
The dispute concerns whether North Korea should keep its nuclear weapons or give them up.
North Korea rejected an international statement urging it to stop nuclear tests, calling it a grave political provocation.
The Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty said any new North Korean nuclear test would be irresponsible and unacceptable.
The group urged Pyongyang to comply fully with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said North Korea’s nuclear weapons status is irreversible.
The United States, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea’s complete denuclearisation.
- Who
- North Korea, the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the United States, South Korea and Japan.
- What
- North Korea rejected an international call to halt nuclear tests and said its nuclear weapons status is irreversible.
- When
- The international meeting took place Tuesday, and North Korea issued its rejection on Thursday during the United Nations General Assembly week.
- Where
- The meetings and statements were associated with New York and the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- The participating countries sought compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and North Korea’s complete denuclearisation, while North Korea described the call as hostile political provocation.
International Position
North Korean Position
Nuclear testing
International Position
The Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty said any new nuclear test by North Korea would be irresponsible and unacceptable.
North Korean Position
North Korea rejected the international statement urging it to halt nuclear tests and called it a grave political provocation by hostile forces.
Nuclear weapons status
International Position
The United States, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to completely denuclearising North Korea.
North Korean Position
Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said North Korea’s nuclear weapons status is irreversible.
International obligations
International Position
The six-country grouping urged Pyongyang to fully comply with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korean Position
North Korea characterized the international statement as hostile political action against its state.
- North Korean position
- North Korea described itself as a responsible nuclear-armed state and said its nuclear weapons status is irreversible.
- International request
- The Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty urged North Korea to halt nuclear tests.
- Countries in the group
- Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.
- United Nations resolutions
- The group called for North Korea to fully comply with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
- Separate meeting
- The United States, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea’s complete denuclearisation.
- Treaty
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was agreed in 1996 and bans nuclear weapon test explosions and other nuclear explosions.