Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed conditional willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States, making it clear that his country will not give up its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals both openness and defiance, reflecting Pyongyang’s long-standing stance that its nuclear weapons are non-negotiable as they guarantee the nation’s survival against perceived external threats.
In his remarks, Kim emphasized that North Korea’s nuclear weapons are a vital deterrent against any potential aggression, particularly from the United States. “Our nuclear force is the strongest guarantee of our national defense,” he declared, reaffirming Pyongyang’s position that denuclearization is not on the table.
Conditional Talks
Kim Jong Un outlined the condition under which talks could resume with Washington. He said that if the United States were to abandon its demand for North Korea’s denuclearization, dialogue could be possible. “If the U.S. stops insisting on our nuclear disarmament, we can talk,” Kim stated, hinting at his readiness for negotiations but only on terms favorable to North Korea.
The statement underscores the continuing stalemate between Pyongyang and Washington. Successive U.S. administrations have made denuclearization a prerequisite for lifting sanctions and normalizing relations, while North Korea has consistently refused, insisting that its weapons program is essential for regime security.
Historical Context
The relationship between North Korea and the United States has long been characterized by tension, mistrust, and intermittent attempts at engagement. The most dramatic breakthrough came during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who held three high-profile meetings with Kim Jong Un between 2018 and 2019.
The meetings, including the historic Singapore Summit in June 2018, marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had met with a North Korean leader. At that time, both leaders exchanged warm words, and Kim today recalled “pleasant memories” of those encounters. He noted that despite the eventual collapse of talks, his personal rapport with Trump had left a lasting impression.
However, the optimism of those meetings quickly faded as negotiations broke down over the central issue of denuclearization. Washington demanded complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear program, while Pyongyang sought step-by-step concessions, including sanctions relief, without giving up its arsenal entirely.
Nuclear Weapons as a “Guarantee of Survival”
Kim Jong Un’s latest remarks leave little doubt that Pyongyang views its nuclear arsenal as the ultimate guarantor of its sovereignty. Analysts point out that the North Korean leadership has studied the fates of other countries, such as Libya and Iraq, whose governments collapsed after abandoning or failing to acquire nuclear capabilities.
“From Pyongyang’s perspective, nuclear weapons are not just military tools; they are insurance for the regime’s survival,” said Dr. Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and Korea expert. “Unless the U.S. fundamentally changes its approach, it is unlikely that North Korea will ever accept denuclearization.”
Kim’s words reflect this calculation. By setting conditions that the U.S. is unlikely to meet, he signals openness to talks while simultaneously reinforcing his regime’s determination to hold onto its nuclear deterrent.
U.S. Response and Policy Challenges
As of now, the U.S. government has not officially responded to Kim Jong Un’s latest statement. However, American officials have consistently said that Washington remains open to dialogue but will not compromise on the principle of denuclearization.
This creates a policy dilemma. On one hand, engagement with Pyongyang is seen as essential to reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and preventing further nuclear escalation. On the other hand, yielding to North Korea’s condition—dropping the demand for denuclearization—would amount to accepting it as a de facto nuclear state, a move Washington has long resisted.
“North Korea is essentially asking the U.S. to recognize it as a nuclear power,” said Victor Cha, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “That is a red line for Washington, but ignoring Pyongyang altogether also carries risks, as the North continues to advance its missile and nuclear capabilities.”
Regional Repercussions
The issue also has broader implications for regional stability. South Korea and Japan, both close U.S. allies, are directly threatened by North Korea’s missile program and have repeatedly called for strong action to contain Pyongyang. At the same time, China, North Korea’s main economic lifeline, has urged dialogue and resisted harsh sanctions, seeing stability in the region as being in its own strategic interest.
Kim’s conditional offer of talks may also be aimed at driving a wedge between these regional players, hoping to create pressure on Washington to ease its stance.
The Road Ahead
While Kim Jong Un’s statement reopens the possibility of dialogue, it does little to bridge the wide gulf that separates Pyongyang and Washington. For talks to resume meaningfully, both sides would need to make significant adjustments to their expectations—something that appears unlikely in the near term.
Still, analysts note that Kim’s reference to his past meetings with Trump shows that personal diplomacy remains an option. If political circumstances in the United States shift, Pyongyang may seek to reengage with a future administration, using the same strategy of conditional openness.
For now, the standoff continues. North Korea remains firm on keeping its nuclear arsenal, while the U.S. maintains its demand for denuclearization. Kim’s remarks serve as a reminder that the nuclear issue remains unresolved, and the Korean Peninsula continues to be one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
