South Korea's Ministry of Unification responds to US defense secretary nominee's remarks: ”We do not recognize North Korea as a nuclear power”

South Korea's Ministry of Unification announced on the 16th that Pete Hegseth, the candidate for US Secretary of Defense, has declared North Korea a "nuclear-capable country."
Regarding his statement that he was "a nuclear power," he said, "The government and the international community should recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.
An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters on the same day that "we maintain a firm and unified position regarding the goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea," providing an official statement.
He added, "The government will continue to cooperate closely with the international community, including the U.S. administration, to promote the complete denuclearization of North Korea."
Pete Hegseth, the candidate for Secretary of Defense, called North Korea a "nuclear-capable country" on the 14th (local time).
This is different from the official term used by the international community as a "nuclear weapon state," but since it acknowledges the fact that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons, it is considered to be a nuclear power by the international community.
It is considered a problem.