New york: North Korea on Monday called for an end to what it describes as crimes against Palestinians, urging Israel to leave the Gaza Strip. Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong made these remarks during his address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Vice Foreign Minister criticized Israel for its actions in the region, alleging that "genocide and crimes against humanity" are occurring in the Middle East. He stated that over 60,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed by Israel in the past two years and accused Israel of attempting to annex the entire Gaza Strip through force. Kim emphasized North Korea's support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and advocated for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

Kim also addressed issues related to North Korea's security, condemning military exercises and build-ups against North Korea. He noted that these activities have reached unprecedented levels in terms of scale and frequency. To maintain peace on the Korean peninsula, Kim declared that North Korea's nuclear status is enshrined in its Constitution and is "sacred and absolute."

The Vice Foreign Minister asserted that any demands for North Korea's denuclearization would be equivalent to violating the country's sovereignty and constitutional rights. He firmly stated that North Korea would not relinquish its nuclear capabilities under any circumstances, as it is considered a fundamental national policy and sovereign power.

In discussing the United Nations, Kim called for the organization to undergo reforms to better address 21st-century challenges. Despite his criticisms, he acknowledged the UN's achievements in various areas, including decolonization, peace and security, and the development of international law.