Overview

• In a speech to the Supreme People’s Assembly reported by KCNA, Kim said there is “no reason” to avoid dialogue if the United States drops its denuclearization demand.
• He asserted there will “never” be denuclearization and ruled out trading nuclear concessions for sanctions relief, calling sanctions a source of resilience.
• Kim said he still has “fond” or “good” personal memories of President Trump, his first direct comment on Trump this term as reported by state media.
• He rejected talks with South Korea, called unification unnecessary, and dismissed President Lee Jae‑myung’s phased freeze proposal as a recycled plan.
• Analysts described the remarks as an overture to Trump, with talk of a potential meeting framed as speculative ahead of Trump’s planned visit to South Korea for next month’s APEC summit.