North Korea condemns NATO summit; says denuclearisation should begin with U.S. allies
North Korea has condemned the recent NATO summit, labeling the alliance a tool for war and confrontation. Pyongyang argues that denuclearization efforts should prioritize the nuclear ambitions of U.S. allies rather than its own sovereign rights.
Why it matters
This reflects escalating geopolitical tensions and the breakdown of diplomatic efforts regarding nuclear non-proliferation in the Asia-Pacific region.
North Korea condemned the United States and its allies on Saturday (July 11, 2026) for what it called strengthening military blocs and accelerating arms build-ups after a NATO summit this week.
“Pyongyang accused NATO leaders of portraying North Korea’s exercise of its legitimate sovereign rights as a threat,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on state media KCNA .
“The alliance demonstrated a stronger commitment to bloc-to-bloc confrontation through increased arms spending and closer military cooperation with allies in the Asia-Pacific region,” the Ministry said.
At the NATO summit in Turkiye on Tuesday (July 7, 2026), officials announced more than $50 billion in military procurement and industrial agreements as European allies face continued pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to shoulder a greater share of the alliance’s defence burden.
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