Will Trump and Kim Jong Un Sit Down Again? North Korea Says It’s Up to U.S. Actions

As the possibility of former President Donald Trump’s re-election increases, North Korea has also expressed its stance on U.S.-North Korea relations. While most of its comments criticized the U.S. military threats, it also indicated that future circumstantial developments depend on U.S. actions.

On the 23rd, North Korea’s state media, Korean Central News Agency, published a commentary titled “The Cease of the Tension Between the U.S. and North Korea Will Depend on the Actions of the U.S.” The commentary pointed out that despite the U.S. repeatedly expressing its openness to dialogue and maintaining a consistent strategy through the State Department spokesperson and the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, it continued to deploy FA-18 aircraft in South Korean airspace just days earlier.

The commentary expressed skepticism about dialogue with those holding hostile policies towards North Korea, suggesting such discussions only serve to induce mental and psychological fatigue to further oppressive ambitions. It dismissed the value of engaging in what it sees as disingenuous dialogue that merely extends confrontation.

Reflecting on decades of interactions with the U.S., the commentary noted that North Korea has learned the hard lessons of dialogue’s costs and outcomes. It criticized the reliability of past agreements, specifically during Bill Clinton’s presidency, arguing that they were compromised by the U.S.’s changing political landscape, which treats such agreements according to the whims of the current administration.

With the U.S. presidential race intensifying and Trump confirmed as the Republican candidate, the commentary highlighted inflated expectations for U.S.-North Korea relations, citing Trump’s previous interactions with North Korean leaders and his belief in the benefits of good relations with nuclear-capable states.

The piece concluded that regardless of who occupies the White House, the chaotic U.S. political scene marked by frequent government changes will persist. It noted that while Trump attempted to use personal relationships in international diplomacy, these efforts did not lead to significant positive changes, leading North Korea to remain indifferent to the fluctuating political dynamics in the U.S.

The commentary underscored the importance of distinguishing between national foreign policy and personal sentiments. It emphasized that for nearly 80 years since its establishment, the U.S. has maintained a deeply hostile and relentless approach toward North Korea.

It also noted that North Korea has fortified its self-defense capabilities to safeguard its ideology, system, dignity, and lives, preparing itself for a full-scale confrontation with the U.S. The commentary questioned the sincerity of U.S. overtures towards dialogue or negotiations, pointing out the simultaneous escalation of nuclear strategic assets and frequent military exercises that simulate invasions.

In conclusion, the commentary urged the U.S. to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of its policies toward North Korea and decide on its approach to engagement. It stressed that the future of U.S.-North Korea relations, particularly the possibility of reducing tensions, hinges entirely on the U.S.’s actions.