Past Negotiations with U.S. Only Confirmed Hostile Policy Toward NK: Kim Jong Un

News Summary

North Korea's state media reported on Friday that Kim Jong Un stated his country exhausted all options in negotiations with the United States, only to find that Washington's hostile policy toward Pyongyang remains unchanged.

Kim delivered the remarks during a speech at the opening ceremony of an arms exhibition titled, "National Defense Development-2024," in Pyongyang.

Kim said, "We have already gone to every length in negotiations with the U.S., and what was certain from the outcome was ... the unchanging invasive and hostile policy toward North Korea ... In light of this reality, (North Korea) realizes every day and every hour that achieving the most powerful military capabilities is the only way to maintain peace and provides a solid guarantee of security and development."

Commentary

Kim's remark denounces any prospect of potential negotiation between President-elect Trump and Kim after Trump takes office in January.

Kim cannot bear another humiliation and embarrassment before his people if he fails to secure a deal with Trump once more, as it will severely damage his already fragile credibility.

Furthermore, Kim's renewed friendship with Putin makes him think that he does not need the U.S. Through increased military and economic cooperation with Russia, Kim seems to believe that he can circumvent U.S.-led sanctions.

However, Kim's strategy will backfire significantly both within North Korea and on the global stage. Internally, dissatisfaction with the Kim regime is growing among North Koreans, particularly among military personnel, as the number of North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in the Russian-Ukrainian war rises.

Globally, North Korea is under increasing pressure and criticism from the international community concerning its human rights violations. The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has heightened a sense of urgency among Western countries, including NATO members, prompting them to consider North Korea as a major threat and to exert pressure on the Kim regime through human rights concerns.

Kim will soon realize that his decision to partner with Putin has triggered the downfall of his regime.