North Korea's Kim Jong Un Ready to Talk if U.S. Drops Denuclearization Demand
SEOUL, South Korea - In a significant shift in his stance on negotiations with the United States, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stated that he is willing to resume stalled talks if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization.
According to multiple sources, including the North Korean government's official news agency, Kim made this statement during a parliament session held on September 20-21, 2025. The move marks a departure from his previous stance, which had been characterized by a hardline approach towards negotiations with the U.S.
Kim's willingness to engage in talks without preconditions is seen as a significant development in the long-standing impasse between North Korea and the United States. "There is no reason not to resume stalled negotiations with the U.S., if Washington drops its 'obsession' with eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons," Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The statement comes at a time when tensions between North Korea and the U.S. have been escalating in recent months. The U.S. has maintained its stance on denuclearization as a non-negotiable condition for any talks with North Korea. However, experts believe that Kim's willingness to engage in talks without preconditions could be a strategic move to test the waters.
"Kim is trying to create space for negotiations by dropping his previous hardline stance," said Dr. Victor Cha, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "However, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to any tangible progress in talks with the U.S."
The development has also been met with skepticism by some experts, who point out that North Korea's past promises have often been broken. "We've heard similar statements from Kim before, but they never seem to translate into concrete actions," said Dr. Michael Green, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Despite these reservations, many believe that Kim's willingness to engage in talks is a significant development that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in negotiations with the U.S. "This is an opportunity for both sides to re-engage in talks without preconditions," said Dr. Daniel Sneider, a senior research scholar at Stanford University.
The current status of negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. remains uncertain, but experts believe that Kim's willingness to engage in talks could be a step towards a more positive outcome. "If Washington drops its demand for denuclearization, it could create space for meaningful negotiations," said Dr. Sneider.
In conclusion, Kim's willingness to engage in talks without preconditions marks a significant shift in his stance on negotiations with the U.S. While experts remain skeptical about the potential outcomes of such talks, many believe that this development could potentially lead to a breakthrough in negotiations between North Korea and the United States.
This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics and NPR News.
