North Korea Deems Korean Peninsula Denuclearisation 'Pipe Dream' Ahead China-South Korea Summit

North Korea has firmly rejected the concept of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, labeling it a "pipe dream" that will never be realized, according to statements by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho and reported by various state media outlets. This stance comes ahead of a significant summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, where denuclearization is expected to be a key topic of discussion. South Korea, under President Lee's leadership, is navigating the complex dynamics of maintaining strong alliances with both the United States and China, while seeking to address the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. North Korea criticized South Korea's efforts to deny its status as a nuclear-armed state and dismissed diplomatic talks on denuclearization as lacking common sense. The upcoming summit marks Xi Jinping's first visit to South Korea in 11 years and underscores the high stakes involved in balancing regional security and economic interests amid rising China-U.S. competition. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Pyongyang remains steadfast in strengthening its nuclear capabilities rather than relinquishing them.