In rare twin statements, Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister dismissed the idea of US outreach and demanded ‘nuclear weapons state’ recognition.

North Korea rejected overtures for dialogue from the new administration in Seoul, signaling that Pyongyang retains a hardline stance after the election of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, charged with handling ties between the two countries, said Kim Yo Jong's comments "show the wall of distrust between the South and the North is