North Korea Open to US Talks if Denuclearization Demand Dropped

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed openness to dialogue with the United States if Washington abandons its demand for North Korea's denuclearization, emphasizing that the country's nuclear weapons are essential for its survival and will not be a bargaining chip. Kim also fondly recalled his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that past engagement could be a basis for future talks. However, he rejected recent peace overtures from South Korea, stating that Pyongyang will not pursue unification with the South or sit down with its government. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a phased approach to denuclearization and confidence-building measures but faces significant obstacles in restarting talks. Kim criticized this plan as a repetition of previous failed proposals and stressed that denuclearization demands reflect a desire to weaken North Korea rather than achieve genuine peace. Overall, Kim's remarks signal a conditional willingness to engage diplomatically, provided the U.S. adopts a more realistic stance on North Korea's nuclear status.