The official Korean Central News Agency reported today, Saturday, that North Korea's permanent mission to the United Nations criticized the United States for possessing nuclear weapons and urged it to stop "nuclear participation" or "enhancing extended deterrence." The mission stated at the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Vienna: "Signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should not oppose the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's exercise of its legitimate sovereign right, since it officially withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago." The mission added that "its nuclear strength will never pose a threat to those countries that respect its sovereignty and security interests." While Pyongyang criticizes the United States regarding the AUKUS alliance and the nuclear advisory group with South Korea, it defended its nuclear weapons, describing them as "an exercise of sovereign right."