North Korea reaffirms nuclear status a day before Chinese president's visit - Reuters

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North Korea declared its nuclear weapons status irreversible just 24 hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit, underscoring Pyongyang's defiance despite diplomatic overtures. The timing, a deliberate assertion on the eve of talks with its most important ally, signals that Kim Jong Un views nuclear armament as non-negotiable, even as China attempts to broker regional stability. The statement reflects North Korea's consistent strategy of coupling weapons development with selective engagement, using nuclear rhetoric to bolster its negotiating position while maintaining crucial ties to Beijing.