Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, has issued a stern warning to the U.S. regarding potential denuclearization talks. In remarks published by state media, she stated that relations between North Korea and President Donald Trump are ‘not bad,’ but emphasized that any attempt to pressure Pyongyang to denuclearize would be viewed as mockery. This came after a White House official expressed optimism that Trump remains open to denuclearization efforts, reigniting discussions about the future of U.S.-North Korea relations.
Kim Yo Jong’s comments came in the wake of a White House official’s admission that Trump ‘remains open to engaging with Leader Kim to achieve a fully denuclearized North Korea.’ Meanwhile, North Korea continues to expand its nuclear capabilities, a fact Kim Yo Jong highlighted in her remarks. She also warned that a summit would not occur if denuclearization was a key topic, signaling a shift in North Korean stance from past negotiations. Despite this, Kim Yo Jong did not entirely rule out bilateral talks, stating it would be ‘advisable to seek another way of contact.’ This statement has raised questions about the potential for further engagement between the two nations.
During his first term, Trump held three historic summits with Kim Jong-Un: in Singapore in 2018, Hanoi in 2019, and at the Korean Demilitarized Zone in 2019. These meetings marked a significant moment in U.S.-North Korea relations, but they did not yield substantial progress. North Korea retained its nuclear weapons, and the U.S. did not lift sanctions that have isolated the country from international markets. This has left the situation in a state of limbo, with both sides continuing to negotiate without reaching a formal agreement. Kim Yo Jong’s remarks come at a time when the status of the U.S.-North Korea relationship remains uncertain, with the potential for future dialogue yet to be determined.