Kim Signals Openness to U.S. Ties While Threatening South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has indirectly signaled willingness to improve relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, contingent on recognition of North Korea's nuclear status and withdrawal of hostile policies. According to Korean Central News Agency on the 26th, Kim stated in his summary report at the 9th Party Congress that "there is no reason we cannot get along with the United States if it respects our status as a nuclear state." With Trump's planned visit to China in late March to early April, the possibility of U.S.-North Korea dialogue cannot be ruled out. Bilateral talks have been suspended since the "no deal" Hanoi summit in 2019.

Kim took a sharp tone against the Lee Jae-myung administration's conciliatory approach toward the North, calling it a "deceptive play" and declaring North Korea would "permanently exclude them from the category of compatriots." He added threateningly, "There is absolutely nothing to discuss with the Republic of Korea, and if they harm our security environment, we can initiate action at will." The "Five-Year Plan for Strengthening National Defense" unveiled at this Party Congress was filled with nuclear and missile advancement measures, including expanded nuclear weapons production, development of submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles, and establishment of AI-powered unmanned attack systems.

North Korea's conciliatory gesture toward the United States while intensifying threats against South Korea represents a "bypass South Korea, engage America" tactic aimed at securing nuclear state recognition and economic sanctions relief through direct dialogue with Washington while excluding Seoul. Furthermore, raising nuclear threats to the maximum while mentioning dialogue possibilities is a hackneyed deception. The complete denuclearization commitment made at the 2018 Singapore summit and the prohibition of hostile acts stipulated in the inter-Korean September 19 Military Agreement were abandoned long ago. North Korea has repeatedly engaged in deceptive behavior—securing economic gains through dialogue, then finding pretexts to break off negotiations while advancing its nuclear and missile programs.

We must thoroughly counter the "tricks" and deception embedded in Kim's conciliatory remarks toward the United States. Yet South Korea and the United States are experiencing friction over the "Freedom Shield" joint exercises scheduled for next month, restoration of the September 19 Military Agreement, and establishment of no-fly zones. Cracks in the ROK-U.S. alliance only heighten security anxiety and expand North Korea's leverage. What matters most now is for both countries to establish an airtight coordination system and send a consistent message to avoid being drawn into North Korea's tactics.