North Korea’s Kim vows toughest anti-US policy before Trump takes office
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — In the lead-up to Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared intentions to pursue the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy yet, according to North Korean state media on Sunday.
This announcement comes at a time when Trump’s re-entry into the White House could potentially reopen channels for high-stakes diplomatic engagement with North Korea. Previously, during Trump’s first term, he engaged directly with Kim on three occasions, focusing on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, experts suggest that immediate re-engagement in such high-level talks might not be on the horizon, as Trump is likely to prioritize ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Additionally, North Korea’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to revitalizing diplomatic efforts.
The declaration was made during a recent five-day session of the Workers’ Party, where Kim labeled the United States as “the most reactionary state” with a steadfast anti-communist stance. He also criticized the security alliance between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, describing it as evolving into a “nuclear military bloc for aggression.”
Kim’s address, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), outlined a strategic response against the U.S., though specifics of this strategy were not detailed. Emphasis was placed on enhancing military capabilities and fostering resilience among North Korean soldiers.
Reflecting on past interactions, the relationship between Trump and Kim had once shifted from hostile exchanges to a more personal rapport, famously described by Trump as a kind of “love.” However, their negotiations hit a deadlock in 2019 over the contentious issue of U.S. sanctions.
Since then, North Korea has ramped up its weapons tests, aiming to develop more formidable nuclear capabilities targeting the U.S. and its allies. In response, the U.S. and South Korea have intensified their joint military exercises, including trilateral maneuvers with Japan, moves which North Korea perceives as provocative.
The situation is further complicated by North Korea’s increasing military collaboration with Russia. Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean sources indicate that North Korea has been supplying military personnel and equipment to aid Russia in Ukraine, raising fears of a technology-for-arms deal that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
Meanwhile, both Russia and China, embroiled in their own disputes with the U.S., have consistently thwarted attempts by the U.S. to impose stricter U.N. sanctions on North Korea for its ongoing missile tests, which defy international resolutions.
Kim has recently reaffirmed his view that past negotiations with the U.S. only underscore Washington’s continued hostility, justifying his country’s nuclear armament as a necessary defense against foreign threats.