Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his regime is open to talks with the United States, but only if Washington abandons its long-standing demand that Pyongyang must denuclearize. Speaking during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim stressed that nuclear weapons remain the cornerstone of North Korea’s survival strategy, making clear that surrendering them is not up for negotiation.
Kim’s remarks, carried by state media on Sunday, underscore a familiar pattern: expressions of willingness to engage in dialogue, paired with a firm rejection of the U.S. position on denuclearization. “If the U.S. drops the absurd obsession with denuclearizing us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States,” he said. The statement suggests that Pyongyang is attempting to reframe the conversation away from disarmament and toward recognition of its nuclear status.
The comments come at a time of shifting dynamics in Northeast Asia. South Korea, under President Lee Jae-myung, has signaled a softer line than his predecessor, suggesting phased negotiations that could involve freezing nuclear activities before discussing reductions. Kim, however, dismissed such proposals as deceptive, arguing that they are designed to weaken North Korea’s defenses and destabilize its leadership.
Kim also recalled his past diplomacy with Donald Trump, saying he holds “fond memories” of their three summits during Trump’s first term. His reference to personal rapport with the U.S. president is seen as an attempt to keep the door open for renewed engagement, particularly as Trump is expected to attend upcoming Asia-Pacific summits. Analysts note that by invoking past meetings, Kim is trying to remind Washington of an alternative path to confrontation.
The North Korean leader defended his nuclear arsenal as an enduring guarantee of sovereignty, despite years of economic hardship under international sanctions. He argued that sanctions, rather than crippling his country, had made it “stronger and more resilient.” Western analysts estimate Pyongyang is adding as many as 15–20 nuclear warheads annually, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue.
While South Korea has urged more dialogue, Washington faces a strategic dilemma. Maintaining the demand for complete denuclearization risks prolonging the deadlock, but softening that stance could be seen as tacitly accepting North Korea as a nuclear state a move that may unsettle U.S. allies and reshape regional security. For now, Kim’s latest message is clear: negotiations are possible, but only if the U.S. recalibrates its approach.