Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Sep 24: The United States has reiterated its long-standing commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signaled a conditional openness to dialogue with Washington. Responding to a query, a State Department spokesperson confirmed that U.S. policy remains unchanged despite recent overtures from Pyongyang.
Kim’s comments, made during a weekend speech to North Korea’s parliament, sparked renewed speculation about a possible return to high-level talks. He notably expressed a "good memory" of US. President Donald Trump, hinting at a willingness to reengage under certain conditions—chiefly, the dropping of Washington’s insistence on denuclearization as a prerequisite for dialogue.
Trump, for his part, has indicated a desire to meet Kim again, possibly during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for October 31–November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea. This has fueled further speculation that North Korea could become a renewed focus of Trump’s foreign policy narrative, especially as he positions himself for a return to the international stage.
Observers suggest Trump may seek to revive his personal diplomacy with Kim in pursuit of a high-profile peace deal, potentially aimed at bolstering his global image and possibly reviving ambitions for a Nobel Peace Prize. During his first term, Trump and Kim met three times—in Singapore (2018), Hanoi (2019), and at the inter-Korean border in Panmunjom (2019)—though the talks ultimately stalled over disagreements on sanctions and denuclearization steps.
With both Pyongyang and Washington cautiously testing the waters, the possibility of renewed engagement remains uncertain—but not off the table.