Kim Jong Un Open to US Talks if Denuclearization Demands Dropped

Pyongyang Sets Conditions for Dialogue

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly stated that talks with the United States could resume, provided Washington drops its demands for Pyongyang's denuclearization. The remarks were made during a recent session of the Supreme People's Assembly, as reported by state-run media, including Korean Central Television (KCTV) and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim emphasized that if the United States 'discards its delusional obsession with denuclearisation and, based on recognising reality, truly wishes for peaceful coexistence with us, then there is no reason we cannot meet it'.

Kim's Stance on Nuclear Arsenal and Past Relations

During his address, Kim reiterated North Korea's firm position that it will never relinquish its nuclear weapons, having previously declared itself an 'irreversible' nuclear state. He stated, 'The world already knows well what the United States does after it forces a country to give up its nuclear arms and disarm.' Kim also expressed 'fond memories' of former U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he held three high-profile summits during Trump's first term. These meetings included a historic summit in Singapore in 2018, a second in Hanoi in 2019 that ended without agreement, and an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in June 2019. Despite the stalled negotiations since 2019, Kim's recent comments mark his first direct public mention of Trump since the beginning of Trump's second term, leaving the door open for potential future engagement.

International Reactions and Divergent Approaches

The statement from Pyongyang has drawn responses from key international players. The United States, South Korea, and Japan have reaffirmed their 'resolute commitment' to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, according to a joint statement issued after trilateral talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the sanctions regime against Pyongyang. However, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed openness to a more 'realistic' goal, suggesting that North Korea agreeing to freeze its nuclear weapons production could be a valuable step towards long-term denuclearization, rather than insisting on immediate dismantlement. President Lee has also urged Trump to take the lead in re-engaging with North Korea.

Rejection of Dialogue with South Korea

In a stark contrast to his conditional openness to talks with the U.S., Kim Jong Un explicitly stated his 'no intention' of resuming dialogue with South Korea. He declared there would be 'no occasion to sit face-to-face' with Seoul, even as President Lee Jae Myung has sought to ease tensions and proposed initiatives for trust-building. North Korea has in recent years declared the South its principal enemy and has severed communication channels.

Outlook on Future Engagement

The timing of Kim's statement coincides with speculation surrounding a potential visit by Donald Trump to South Korea next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. This has fueled media speculation about a possible fourth meeting between Kim and Trump. However, North Korea's insistence on retaining its nuclear arsenal as a precondition for talks presents a significant diplomatic challenge, as the U.S. officially maintains denuclearization as its primary goal for the Korean Peninsula.