Doomsday Clock Tensions Rise as North Korea Vows Irreversible Nuclear Stance
North Korea's foreign minister declared her country's commitment to retaining nuclear weapons "through all ages" is irreversible, responding to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's proposal for a phased denuclearisation approach outlined at the United Nations General Assembly amid rising doomsday clock tensions.
North Korea Rejects Denuclearisation Push
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said Thursday her country's will to keep nuclear weapons through "all ages" is "irreversible" as she blasted recent trilateral talks between South Korea, the United States and Japan, state media reported. [4] Choe took aim at the talks between the top diplomats of the three countries in New York on Monday that reiterated their commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea and called on Pyongyang to return to dialogue. [4] "As the foreign minister of the DPRK, I reaffirm and reconfirm in the strongest tone of voice the steadfast will of our state to keep nuclear weapons through all ages, which is irreversible in any case and will remain unchanged forever," she said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. [4] DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. [4] "There is no change in the fact that the DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state will be everlasting," she said. [4] North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui attends talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Pyongyang on April 9, 2026, in this image provided by the North's official Korean Central TV. [4]
South Korea Offers Phased Approach
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s proposal for a phased approach to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes is a pragmatic response, analysts say, but prospects for gaining its arch-rival’s acceptance remain uncertain. [1] In a keynote speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Lee laid out a long-term, step-by-step sequence for pursuing the ultimate goal of North Korea’s denuclearisation. [1] He had called for Washington to ease sanctions in return for North Korea stopping its nuclear programme in interviews with US media on Friday ahead of his trip to New York. [1] “We can move towards a nuclear-free Korean peninsula by first halting the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, followed by a reduction in the medium term,” Lee said at his UN speech. [1] He also urged the establishment of a peace protocol, saying the effort should involve not only the two Koreas but also the United States and China. [1]
Iran Defies Pressure at UN Assembly
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gave a defiant wartime address at the UN accusing the US of terrorism in his country and saying Iran would not "bend at the knee". [2] Iran's Pezeshkian says unfair that Israel 'has' nuclear weapons while IAEA inspectors watch Tehran. [3] Additionally, EU's Costa urges Iran to resume cooperation with IAEA. [3]
Syria Reaffirms Claim on Golan Heights
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the UN Wednesday that the contested Golan Heights region would "remain Syrian" despite ongoing military occupation by Israel. [2] Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa insisted that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory during his UNGA speech. [3]
Zelensky Highlights North Korean Role in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly that Russian President Vladimir Putin had enlisted fighters from 47 countries including North Korea, Ghana and India to fight against Ukraine. [2]
Broader UNGA Context
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday, as international scrutiny of Israel's war on Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territory takes centre stage on the third day of the annual debate. [2] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also due to address world leaders by video after being denied a US visa. [2] Leaders of some of the world's biggest AI companies urged caution at the United Nations, warning that increasingly autonomous systems could outpace human oversight. [2]
What to watch next: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday, as international scrutiny of Israel's war on Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territory takes centre stage on the third day of the annual debate, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also due to address world leaders by video after being denied a US visa.
