North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister to Speak at U.N. General Assembly in New York

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong is scheduled to take part in the United Nations General Assembly's high-level general debate, which runs from Sept. 22 to Sept. 26 in New York, and to give a speech on Sept. 28. One outlet attended the same forum last year, where he stressed that the country would never abandon its nuclear arsenal. This trip will include meetings with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and representatives of nations friendly to Pyongyang, such as Cuba and Venezuela.

Observers in Washington are paying particular attention to his statements, given President Donald Trump's announced intention to meet Kim Jong-un later in the year. The appearance marks the first time in six years that a senior North Korean official has participated in the assembly, following a hiatus after the 2019 Hanoi summit. Kim's remarks are expected to signal Pyongyang's stance ahead of any forthcoming diplomatic talks.