EU and South Korea say they will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state

The European Union and South Korea say they will “never” recognize North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state, reaffirming their commitment to denuclearization. The statement is made in the context of recent high-level engagement between China and North Korea. Sources report that the EU and South Korea make the position clear even as China and North Korea have pledged closer ties following a summit in Pyongyang. Both accounts note that the summit did not include any public mention of denuclearization. Separately, coverage highlights that Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during his visit to Pyongyang, also did not raise denuclearization publicly. The reiteration of the “never” recognition stance signals that Seoul and the EU view formal acknowledgment of North Korea’s nuclear status as inconsistent with their denuclearization policy, regardless of diplomatic developments. The reports describe the remarks as reaffirmations of existing policy rather than a negotiated change, and they tie the timing to the renewed diplomatic momentum involving China and North Korea.