A senior North Korean diplomat reaffirmed that North Korea will never abandon its nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

Kim Son-gyong, vice foreign minister of North Korea, made the remarks during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.

Kim said the nation had strengthened its military capabilities in proportion to growing threats of aggression from the U.S. and its allies to deter acts of war and secure the balance of power in the Korean Peninsula.

It was the first time since 2018 that a senior representative from North Korea had addressed the UN General Assembly.

Kim, however, left the door open for discussion, adding that Pyongyang will promote multifaceted exchanges and cooperation with countries that oppose aggression and intervention.