Could Dialogue Resume If Washington Stops Focusing on Denuclearization?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- North Korea suggests dialogue with the US is possible if denuclearization is off the table.
- Kim Jong Un recalls positive relations with US President Trump.
- The DPRK remains committed to its nuclear capabilities.
- Military drills by the US, South Korea, and Japan have drawn criticism from North Korea.
- The DPRK views these drills as aggressive and potentially harmful.
Pyongyang, September 22 (NationPress) The supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) indicated that dialogues with the United States could be possible if Washington relinquishes its focus on denuclearization and strives for peaceful coexistence with the DPRK.
Kim Jong Un, who holds the titles of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, expressed these sentiments on the second day of the 13th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK. He mentioned that he still harbors “positive memories” of US President Donald Trump, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency.
Kim emphasized that the DPRK will never forsake its nuclear arsenal. He acknowledged that while the current administrations of the United States and South Korea seem open to dialogue and improving relations, their ultimate objective remains unchanged: to undermine the DPRK and dismantle its governance.
According to him, the DPRK is dedicated to ensuring its security and maintaining peace, as reported by Xinhua.
Regarding relations with South Korea, Kim asserted that the DPRK would not “engage” with the nation or collaborate in any manner.
On September 14, senior DPRK officials criticized the military exercises conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
Seoul had initiated two concurrent drills, including Freedom Edge, a trilateral outdoor multi-domain exercise with the United States and Japan, and Iron Mace, a tabletop drill simulating a response to a nuclear attack with the United States, as reported by South Korean media.
Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), labeled the “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula” concocted by the United States and South Korea as a perilous concept.
She asserted that the DPRK will interpret it as a blatant expression of their confrontational stance against the DPRK and a continuation of their aggressive policies.
She added that the reckless show of strength displayed by the three nations near the DPRK will invariably yield negative consequences for them.