North Korea condemns NATO summit, says denuclearisation should start with US allies

North Korea’s state media reported that the country’s foreign ministry “most strongly denounces and rejects” a NATO summit declaration. The North condemned the document for condemning Pyongyang over alleged weapons exports to Russia and for framing that support as fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The article says NATO leaders’ joint declaration raised concerns about North Korea’s role in Russia’s war effort and also noted concerns over China’s industrial support to Russia. Pyongyang has repeatedly denied that it sends weapons to Moscow, and the report says the North pointed to a broader Russia-North Korea security alignment—describing the relationship as formalized through a pledge of mutual military aid if either side is attacked.

Separately, the report notes that—alongside NATO summit activity—Seoul and Washington signed guidelines for an integrated deterrence system on the Korean Peninsula, which formalizes the deployment of U.S. nuclear assets on and around the peninsula as part of deterrence. The article places North Korea’s response in a wider context of severely strained inter-Korean relations and increased military activity, including suspension of a tension-reducing military agreement and resumed live-fire drills.