Kim Jong-un signals dialogue with US, rejects Seoul

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that Pyongyang could "get along" with Washington if the United States recognizes its nuclear status, though he simultaneously quashed hopes for a diplomatic thaw with Seoul.

Speaking at a congress of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim reiterated his refusal to engage in dialogue with the South Korean administration, warning that he could "completely destroy" the neighbor if his country's security were threatened. He formally categorized South Korea as the "most hostile entity" and declared that it has been permanently removed from the status of being "part of the same nation."

Rejection of inter-Korean diplomacy

Kim’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward Seoul suggests a strategic pivot away from traditional Korean diplomacy. "As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical condition of being our neighbor, the only way for it to live in security is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone," Kim asserted. Experts assess that these statements, while not necessarily indicating immediate military conflict, are part of a broader strategy to assert a more dominant regional role, bolstered by Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal and its deepening ties with Moscow and Beijing.

Conditional opening to Washington

In a notable shift, the North Korean leader signaled a potential opening for dialogue with the United States, provided Washington withdraws its "hostile policy" and respects the country's nuclear status. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim said, "If the U.S. respects our current [nuclear] status as specified in the Constitution and withdraws its hostile policy, there is no reason for us not to get along with the U.S."

Speculation is mounting that Kim could meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during Trump’s expected visit to China later this year. However, Kim also called for the continued development of advanced weaponry, including submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and tactical nuclear weapons aimed at South Korea, to strengthen his military posture.

Strategic alignment with Russia

The party congress concluded with a military parade in Pyongyang, where a soldier was notably seen carrying a Russian flag, highlighting the growing military cooperation between the two nations. Kim Jong-un attended the event with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who has become increasingly visible in public. Reports indicate that North Korea has prioritized its relationship with Russia, sending thousands of troops and significant military equipment to support Moscow's war in Ukraine in exchange for economic aid and technology transfers.

While Kim stated that the future of U.S.-North Korea relations depends "entirely on the U.S. attitude," he emphasized that Pyongyang is prepared for both "peaceful coexistence and permanent conflict."

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