North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would appear to be more open than ever to negotiations with the US. He argues that Washington needs to stop insisting on denuclearization up front. Indeed, this statement comes on the heels of his high-profile meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. The meetings were held in Beijing, China. They overlapped with a huge military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
In his keynote to North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim stated the urgent imperative to accelerate the development of AI military drones. He categorized this effort as a “high priority.” He reiterated his commitment to improving North Korea’s military assets. This pledge, which he announced last year, seeks to protect him from what he terms “hostile” actions.
Diplomatic Engagements with Global Leaders
Kim Jong Un’s recent gambits on the diplomatic chessboard highlight moves made to strengthen his hand while international tensions boil over. As we wrote on September 3, 2025, that same day, the North Korean leader made a surprise visit to an international military parade in Beijing. He sat through boring talks on stage with smarties like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. At this dog wrangling event, Kim stood and applauded next to the likes of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The military parade served as a platform for Kim to showcase North Korea’s military prowess while strengthening ties with its allies. He said he was prepared to have real discussions with the U.S. He made clear that this would only be possible if the U.S. rethought its hard-line approach to denuclearization.
“If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearising us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States.” – Kim Jong Un
Such a feeling represents a big reversal from Kim’s previously more diplomatic approach. That is remarkable, especially when we look at his previous engagements with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reflections on Past Relations with the US
In his speech to the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim dropped quite a bombshell. In response, he waxed nostalgic about his long-standing affinity for Donald Trump. He underscored their three Fiscal Responsibility Working Group meetings during Trump’s presidency and mentioned the strong working chemistry they both possessed.
“Personally, I still have fond memories of US President Trump.” – Kim Jong Un
Kim’s speech indicates that he wants to get back on better terms with the United States, which he thinks would be mutually advantageous for both countries. South Korean prime minister Lee Jae-myung expressed similar sentiments. His statements reflected repeatedly strong optimism about the potential for trilateral cooperation to halt North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons development.
“I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development.” – Lee Jae-myung
The dialogue between Kim and Lee indicates a regional willingness to engage in constructive discussions aimed at mitigating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Military Priorities and Future Aspirations
While North Korea charts its course on the diplomatic front, Kim Jong Un has shown no signs of slowing his pursuit to bolster his country’s military strength. He repeated his promise to “exponentially” expand the military to face new threats that he sees everywhere. The perceived success of his own AI military drones is part of Kim Jong Un’s strategy to radically modernize the DPRK defense through advanced technologies.
Additionally, Kim’s statements through diplomatic channels hint at desires for a brighter future for North Korea. He mused about the plan for Trump to someday build a Trump Tower in North Korea. In his escapist fantasy, Trump would spend all his time there indulging in favored pastimes such as playing golf.
“So that I can play golf there.” – Lee Jae-myung
Kim’s tough approach to negotiations is the type of leadership we need. Above all, he underscores there needs to be respect from the U.S. and an acknowledgment of their consulting role.
“There will never be, and will never ever be for eternity, any negotiations with enemies of exchanging some things out of some obsession with lifting sanctions.” – Kim Jong Un
