Who is likely to represent North Korea at the U.N. General Assembly this month?

Kim Son-gyong, a vice foreign minister in charge of international organizations, is likely to attend and deliver the speech. The U.N. Secretariat’s updated speaker list says a North Korean vice minister-level official is scheduled to speak on Sept. 28.

When is North Korea scheduled to speak at the 81st U.N. General Assembly?

A North Korean vice minister-level official is scheduled to speak at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 28, the final day of the high-level segment. The general debate runs Sept. 22-26 and Sept. 28.

Why is North Korea's planned U.N. General Assembly appearance drawing attention?

It is expected to be closely watched because Trump has expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong-un this year. The report also notes that North Korea has not sent a high-level official to the General Assembly every year since the failed 2019 Hanoi summit, instead using its U.N. ambassador for speeches.

N. Korea likely to send vice minister to UN General Assembly this month

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Summary

North Korea is expected to send a vice minister-level official to the U.N. General Assembly in New York this month, with Kim Son-gyong likely to deliver a speech. The U.N. Secretariat’s updated speaker list shows a North Korean vice minister-level official scheduled for Sept. 28, the final day of the high-level segment. Attention is expected to focus on what message Pyongyang will deliver as Donald Trump has said he is willing to meet Kim Jong-un this year.

Key Facts

The general debate of the 81st U.N. General Assembly is scheduled for Sept. 22-26 and Sept. 28.
Kim Son-gyong is a vice foreign minister in charge of international organizations.
North Korea did not send a high-level official to the General Assembly from 2019 through 2024 after the failed 2019 Hanoi summit.
Kim Song, North Korea’s ambassador to the U.N., delivered General Assembly speeches during those years.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 5, 2026 11:53 am KST
Updated Sep 5, 2026 1:26 pm KST

The inside of the U.N. headquarters in New York City is seen in this 2025 photo. Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL/NEW YORK — North Korea is expected to send a vice minister-level official to the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in New York, with Kim Son-gyong, a vice foreign minister in charge of international organizations, likely to deliver a speech, sources said Saturday.

According to the list of speakers updated by the U.N. Secretariat, a North Korean vice minister-level official is scheduled to represent the country and deliver a speech at the U.N. headquarters on Sept. 28, the final day of the high-level segment of the 81st U.N. General Assembly.

The general debate of this year's U.N. General Assembly is scheduled to take place Sept. 22-26 and Sept. 28.

North Korea has several vice foreign ministers, but diplomatic sources believe Kim, who is in charge of international organizations, is likely to attend, as he did last year.

Last year, Kim led a North Korean delegation to the General Assembly for the first time in seven years.

From 2019 through 2024, Pyongyang did not send a high-level official to the General Assembly following the failed 2019 Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Instead, Kim Song, North Korea's ambassador to the U.N., delivered its General Assembly speeches.

Attention is expected to focus on what message North Korea will deliver at the U.N. this year, as Trump has expressed his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.

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