North Korea dismisses UN nuclear watchdog resolution

North Korea dismissed an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution that criticised its nuclear weapons programme, with state media publishing statements from the foreign ministry and Kim Yo Jong denouncing the agency. The foreign ministry said Pyongyang's nuclear status is irreversible and anchored by its deterrent. KCNA quoted officials as calling the resolution ineffective and the product of the US and Western states. Kim Yo Jong framed the IAEA's action as evidence of 'biased' treatment that favours the United States and South Korea, asserting that such double standards are eroding the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. She accused the agency of ignoring what North Korea described as clear proliferation steps by the United States and South Korea’s plans to introduce nuclear-capable submarines while targeting North Korea's own 'self-defensive' nuclear activities. State reports also said leader Kim Jong Un conducted a three-day inspection of major munitions factories this week and that he addressed a training session for propaganda workers, urging modernised and aggressive approaches to ideological warfare. Analysts cited in the report say North Korea has been renovating its military with Russian assistance since signing a mutual defence treaty with Moscow in 2024, and that combat experience from North Korean troops deployed to the Ukraine war has contributed to those efforts. The statements come amid limited diplomatic signaling from Seoul and Washington that engagement with Pyongyang may be possible. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told reporters that US President Donald Trump seeks dialogue with North Korea and that Seoul would try to facilitate talks. Trump has said he plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year and has publicly noted that Pyongyang possesses dozens of nuclear weapons.