UNITED NATIONS: North Korea indicated on Monday that it would no longer prioritize personal diplomacy with US leaders, such as the direct engagement between Kim Jong Un and former President Donald Trump. Pyongyang’s UN ambassador, Song Kim, stated that North Korea would deal with the United States as a state entity, regardless of which administration comes to power after the upcoming US election. This signals a shift away from the personal approach seen during Trump’s presidency.
Despite reports that North Korean diplomats are preparing for potential nuclear talks if Trump is re-elected, Song Kim’s speech emphasized North Korea’s distrust of US leadership. He pointed to the long-standing US hostility and nuclear threat, justifying North Korea’s acquisition of nuclear weapons as a necessity for self-defence.
During Trump’s term, a historic summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam collapsed in 2019 due to disagreements over sanctions and North Korea’s refusal to denuclearize. Since then, North Korea has ignored calls from the Biden administration to resume negotiations.
North Korea’s stance reflects a focus on confrontation, with Kim Jong Un advocating for further preparations for conflict, in contrast to pursuing dialogue with the US.
