North Korea has passed a law declaring itself a nuclear weapons state.
The country’s leader Kim Jong-un called the decision “irreversible” and ruled out any talks on denuclearization.
The law also provides for the country’s right to use a pre-emptive nuclear strike to defend itself.
Despite crippling sanctions, Pyongyang conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017.
It has continued to advance its military capabilities – in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions – to threaten its neighbors and potentially bring US territory within striking range.
Kim Jong-un conducted long-range launches and nuclear tests in 2019.
