Overview
- In a weekend speech to North Korea’s parliament reported by KCNA, Kim Jong-un said he would resume contact with the United States if it accepts coexistence without denuclearization.
- He asserted the country will never abandon its nuclear weapons and referenced Libya’s disarmament as a cautionary example.
- Kim said sanctions have failed and claimed they strengthened North Korea’s endurance and resilience.
- He rejected engagement with South Korea, dismissing any talks despite President Lee Jae-myung’s efforts to ease tensions.
- The remarks land weeks before President Trump’s planned visit to South Korea for the APEC summit, with Pyongyang simultaneously tightening military ties with Russia including a mutual defense pact and reported troop deployments to Ukraine.