Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, attends a wreath-laying ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 2, 2019. AP-Yonhap
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Sunday that the country's nuclear status is "absolutely irreversible" and vowed not to tolerate any threats against it, according to state media.
Kim Yo-jong made the remarks in a statement carried by the Korea Central News Agency, reiterating Pyongyang's position that its nuclear weapons program is nonnegotiable, rejecting international efforts aimed at denuclearization.
"Our status as a nuclear weapons state is an absolutely irreversible red line and an undeniable reality whether anyone recognizes it or not," she said.
Her remarks came a day ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit to Pyongyang, apparently aimed at underscoring that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is not subject to discussions between Xi and Kim Jong-un.
