Kim Jong Un's sister vows North Korea will never give up nuclear weapons

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that the country will never surrender its nuclear-armed status and continue to expand its atomic arsenal.

Kim ‌Yo Jong, who holds two senior roles in her brother's government, said North Korea will not tolerate any threat and branded the US push to denuclearise the country an "anachronistic dream", state media agency KCNA said.

Her remarks came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea for a summit on Monday, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years.

Ms Kim said US claims that Mr Xi and Donald Trump had confirmed a goal to denuclearise North Korea during a May summit were "false", adding that ‌it "has the most accurate information" regarding the claims.

"The policy of continuously strengthening self-defensive nuclear war deterrence, as declared by ‌the head of state, is an irreversible and final conclusion that must be executed unconditionally," she said.

She added: "Some officials in the US have failed to wake from their escapist and anachronistic dream".

Early this week, North Korea unveiled a new nuclear material production factory where its ⁠leader Mr Kim called for an "exponential" expansion ​of the country's atomic arsenal.

Analysts said the ​new uranium-enrichment site appeared aimed at reinforcing North ​Korea's negotiating position ahead of the summit while ⁠justifying an acceleration of its nuclear build-up.

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Mr Kim 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, Yonhap News ​Agency said on Sunday, citing North Korea's state newspaper, The Rodong Sinmun.

North Korea has been focusing on enlarging its nuclear arsenal diplomatic talks with Mr Trump collapsed in 2019.

Experts believe Mr Kim wants international recognition as a nuclear state so that he could demand lifting of international economic sanctions on North Korea.

Mr Xi's visit comes as Beijing seeks to strengthen its ties with Pyongyang, China's only formal ​treaty ally.

Ms Kim is often seen by her brother's side at military demonstrations and meetings with foreign leaders.

The teenage daughter of Kim Jong Un, thought to be named Kim Ju Ae, is also frequently pictured by his side at military events, and is thought to be being positioned as his successor.

(c) Sky News 2026: Kim Jong Un's sister vows North Korea will never give up nuclear weapons