North Korea Rejects Denuclearization Call, Criticizes Quad Alliance

North Korea has strongly rejected a renewed commitment by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, declaring that it will never abandon its nuclear weapons program.

The reaction came after the United States, India, Japan, and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization in a joint statement issued following a recent Quad meeting in New Delhi.

Responding to the statement, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said that denuclearization of the country “will never happen.” The spokesperson also criticized the Quad, describing it as “nothing more than a political and diplomatic tool used to implement the United States’ strategy for unipolar dominance.”

North Korea strongly condemned what it called the alliance’s hostile approach and urged the four-member grouping to cease activities that undermine regional peace and stability.

According to the statement, Pyongyang believes the strengthening of Quad cooperation is intended to justify Japan’s military rearmament efforts and Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. The spokesperson further said that North Korea would continue to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests while opposing what it described as exclusive alliances and bloc confrontations in the region.

A South Korean official commenting on Pyongyang’s response said North Korea has long viewed the Quad as a potential Asian version of NATO and has repeatedly criticized the grouping. According to Seoul, the latest remarks were primarily directed at Japan and Australia while also signaling support for China’s position on regional security issues.

North Korea Conducts First AI-Assisted Missile Test

Meanwhile, North Korea announced that it had successfully carried out its first test launches of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted missile systems under the direct supervision of leader Kim Jong Un.

The country’s state news agency, KCNA, reported that the tests included tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets, and AI-guided precision cruise missiles.

Following the launch, Kim Jong Un reportedly expressed satisfaction with the results, stating that the AI-guided cruise missile successfully demonstrated the capability to strike targets at distances of up to 100 kilometers with high precision.

According to KCNA, the tests were conducted to verify the power and accuracy of missile systems developed under the “Special Mission Warhead” project.

After achieving significant advances in its long-range ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, North Korea has increasingly focused on modernizing its conventional and strategic military capabilities. Pyongyang has also announced plans to deploy some of its advanced weapon systems near the border with South Korea, raising concerns about regional security and stability.

The latest developments are expected to further intensify tensions on the Korean Peninsula and complicate efforts to address North Korea’s growing military capabilities through diplomatic means.