Kim Jong-un hints at a possible Trump-Kim summit, offering the US one condition to restart dialogue

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated on the 22nd that dialogue between the two countries would be possible if the United States abandoned its demand for denuclearization and recognized North Korea’s status as a nuclear power. He also emphasized his “good memories” with US President Trump. South Korean media interpreted this as North Korea’s willingness to hold bilateral talks, but only if the US changed its stance and recognized North Korea’s status as a nuclear power.

The Rodong Sinmun, a newspaper affiliated with the Workers’ Party of Korea, reported that Kim Jong-un delivered a speech at the Supreme People’s Assembly on the 20th and 21st, reiterating that North Korea would never abandon its nuclear weapons program. He said, “We will never give up our nuclear weapons, and we will not, now or in the future, engage in any negotiations with hostile countries in exchange for sanctions relief.” Experts point out that he views nuclear weapons as the strongest guarantee for the continuation of his regime and his family dynasty.

Kim Jong-un also stated, “If the United States can abandon its vain obsession with denuclearization, recognize reality, and sincerely desire peaceful coexistence with us, then there is no reason not to confront the United States.”

Kim Jong-un said, “I personally still have fond memories of the current US President Trump.” South Korea’s News1 reported that Kim Jong-un hinted that North Korea would be willing to engage in dialogue if the United States recognized North Korea’s status as a nuclear power and completely abandoned denuclearization.

In addition, Kim Jong-un made it clear that he would not engage in any negotiations with South Korea, saying, “There is no such thing as sitting down for negotiations, and we will not act together. For decades, we and the Republic of Korea have effectively coexisted as two countries in the international community.”

In recent years, Kim Jong-un has intensified weapons tests, demonstrating a variety of weapons capable of striking US allies in Asia and even the US mainland. Analysts believe that Kim Jong-un’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is intended to ultimately force Washington to accept North Korea’s status as a nuclear power and negotiate from a position of strength in exchange for economic and security concessions.

At the same time, Kim Jong-un is attempting to increase his bargaining power and weaken US influence by strengthening cooperation with traditional allies Russia and China.

Seoul is increasingly concerned that if North Korea attempts direct negotiations with the US, South Korea could be marginalized in future negotiations to resolve the nuclear standoff.

Trump’s planned visit to South Korea in October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju has sparked media speculation that he may meet with Kim Jong-un again at the inter-Korean border, as he did in 2019. However, their third meeting in 2019 ultimately failed to salvage the broken nuclear talks.

Kim Jong-un’s remarks came as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung departed for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. This would also be the first time a South Korean president would chair the UN Security Council. Lee is expected to address nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula and call on North Korea to return to the negotiating table.