North Korea reaffirms nuclear status ahead of Xi visit

Key facts

• North Korea will not retreat from its nuclear status, Kim Yo Jong stated.
• Kim Yo Jong dismissed claims of a denuclearization goal at a May summit as false.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit North Korea on Monday.
• Xi Jinping's visit is the first in nearly seven years.
• China aims to reinforce ties with North Korea, its only treaty ally.
• Kim Jong Un ordered missile production capacity to be increased 2.5 times over five years.

North Korea has reaffirmed its status as a nuclear-armed state and warned against any threats, according to Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This statement comes ahead of a significant visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Monday. This marks Xi's first visit to North Korea in nearly seven years, signaling Beijing's intent to strengthen ties with its sole treaty ally. Kim Yo Jong also refuted claims that Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump had confirmed a goal of denuclearization during a May summit, stating North Korea possesses accurate information regarding the truth of these claims. Earlier in the week, North Korea revealed a new uranium-enrichment facility, which analysts suggest is intended to bolster its negotiating position before the summit with Xi and justify an accelerated nuclear build-up. Kim Jong Un also visited a major munitions factory and ordered the country's missile production capacity to be increased 2.5 times over the next five years.