February 20, 2026Feb 20, 2026
KCNA KCNA.kp (En)

FM Ri Yong Ho Makes Speech at Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum

Date: 09/08/2017 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, August 8 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho made a speech at the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Manila, Philippines on August 7.

Noting it is important above all to establish a right view with correct understanding of the essence of the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula, he said:

To all intents and purposes, the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula is the one that was created and developed into the present phase today because of the U.S. whose responsibility also solely lies with the U.S.

The DPRK's possession of nukes and ICBM is a legitimate option for self-defence in the face of clear and real nuclear threat posed by the U.S. against the DPRK.

However, the U.S. rigged up several "sanctions resolutions" against the DPRK at the UN Security Council, thus disguising the issue as one between the DPRK and UN.

Had it not been the hostile policy enforced by the U.S. for more than 70 years against the DPRK since the first day of its founding and had that policy not been intensified with an undisguised nuclear blackmail and threat, the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula would not have come into being from the beginning.

To our people who experienced disastrous disturbances of war on the Korean peninsula by the U.S., the powerful war deterrence for national defense is an inevitable strategic option and it is a precious strategic asset that can neither be reversed nor bartered for anything.

We will, under no circumstances, put the nukes and ballistic rockets on negotiating table. Neither shall we flinch even an inch from the road to bolstering up the nuclear forces chosen by ourselves, unless the hostile policy and nuclear threat of the U.S. against the DPRK are fundamentally eliminated.

This time also, the U.S. fabricated a new "sanctions resolution" against the DPRK in the UN Security Council. The DPRK has already made its position clear that it will respond with strong follow-up measures and acts of justice.

The DPRK which relies on self-reliance and self-development as its mode of existence can fully counter the hostile policy and acts of the U.S. Should the U.S. pounce upon the DPRK with military force at last, the DPRK is ready to teach the U.S. a severe lesson with its nuclear strategic force it has so far shown in detail. -0-

More From KCNA.kp (En)

School Uniform and Footwear Production Boosted in DPRK

School Uniform and Footwear Production Boosted in DPRK

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Wonsan School Uniform Factory and the Wonsan Schoolchildren's Footwear Factory in the DPRK

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Wonsan School Uniform Factory and the Wonsan Schoolchildren's Footwear Factory in the DPRK

Production Increased at Fishery Units in DPRK

Production Increased at Fishery Units in DPRK

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers in the fishing sector of the DPRK are making successes by concentrating

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers in the fishing sector of the DPRK are making successes by concentrating

Birthday Spread to Woman Centenarian

Birthday Spread to Woman Centenarian

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pak Sung In, a woman of wartime

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pak Sung In, a woman of wartime

Congratulatory Banners to Ninth Congress of WPK

Congratulatory Banners to Ninth Congress of WPK

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Central Committee of the

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Central Committee of the

Congratulations to Ninth Congress of WPK from C.C., CPC

Congratulations to Ninth Congress of WPK from C.C., CPC

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the

Congresses of WPK Recorded in History of Korean Revolution

Congresses of WPK Recorded in History of Korean Revolution

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea convened its congresses in each period and at every stage of the

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea convened its congresses in each period and at every stage of the

Ninth Congress of WPK Opens with Splendor

Ninth Congress of WPK Opens with Splendor

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean

February 20, 2026

Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean

Congratulatory Group of GAKC Arrives Here

Congratulatory Group of GAKC Arrives Here

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un

February 19, 2026

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un

Efficient Coal Depots Built in DPRK

Efficient Coal Depots Built in DPRK

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- According to Rodong Sinmun, several units in the coal industry of the DPRK have completed the

February 19, 2026

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- According to Rodong Sinmun, several units in the coal industry of the DPRK have completed the

People's Art Festival Closes in DPRK

People's Art Festival Closes in DPRK

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- The Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 closed in the DPRK. The festival

February 19, 2026

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- The Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 closed in the DPRK. The festival

Industrial Art Exhibitions Held in DPRK

Industrial Art Exhibitions Held in DPRK

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Industrial art exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial

February 19, 2026

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Industrial art exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Thursday: - A

February 19, 2026

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Thursday: - A

More Articles