Kim Jong Un Demands Denuclearization Demand Be Dropped for Talks to Resume

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Ready to Talk if U.S. Drops Denuclearization Demand SEOUL, South Korea - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is willing to resume stalled negotiations with the United States if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization. Speaking at a meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly on September 20-21, Kim stated that there was "no reason" not to engage in talks with the U.S. if it were to abandon its "hollow obsession" with eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons. The statement appears to be Kim's clearest message yet on his willingness to meet with President Trump and revive diplomacy. "If the U.S. drops its hollow obsession with denuclearization and wants to pursue peaceful coexistence with North Korea based on the recognition of reality, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the U.S.," Kim said, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The statement comes as a significant development in the stalled negotiations between the two countries. The talks have been at an impasse since 2019, when a summit between Trump and Kim failed to produce a concrete agreement. Experts say that Kim's comments suggest a shift in North Korea's stance on denuclearization. "This is a clear indication that North Korea is willing to negotiate without preconditions," said Dr. Leonid Petrov, a North Korea expert at the Australian National University. However, not all experts agree with this interpretation. "Kim's statement is more of a tactical move than a genuine shift in policy," said Dr. Bruce Bechtol, a professor of international relations at Angelo State University. "North Korea has always been willing to negotiate, but only on its own terms." The U.S. government has yet to respond officially to Kim's comments. However, a senior administration official told Reuters that the statement was being taken seriously and would be discussed further. The development is likely to have significant implications for the future of North Korean diplomacy. If the U.S. were to drop its demand for denuclearization, it could pave the way for renewed talks between the two countries. However, any such move would require a significant shift in policy from Washington. The Trump administration has long maintained that denuclearization is a non-negotiable condition for any agreement with North Korea. The current status of negotiations remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Kim's comments have opened up new possibilities for diplomacy between the two countries. In related news, China's President Xi Jinping met with Kim in Pyongyang earlier this month, where they discussed issues including denuclearization and economic cooperation. The meeting was seen as a significant development in North Korea's relations with its key ally. The meeting between Trump and Kim is expected to take place soon, although no date has been set. *Reporting by Npr.*