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US Awaits North Korea's Signal for Dialogue; Denuclearization Remains Priority
🇰🇷 South Korea /Energy & Infrastructure

US Awaits North Korea's Signal for Dialogue; Denuclearization Remains Priority

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A US State Department official stated they are awaiting a clear signal from North Korea for dialogue.
  • The official reiterated that denuclearization remains a priority for the Trump administration.
  • North Korea, however, maintains its stance that denuclearization is not up for negotiation.

The United States is waiting for a clear indication from North Korea that it wishes to engage in dialogue, according to a U.S. State Department official. David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that President Donald Trump has made it clear he is ready to talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again.

We are waiting for a clear signal from him that he wants diplomatic engagement.

— David StilwellAssistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, expressing the U.S. stance on initiating talks with North Korea.

Stilwell emphasized that while waiting for North Korea's signal, the U.S. will continue to pursue "peace through strength." This involves reinforcing sanctions and cooperating with other nations to block North Korea's revenue streams from cyber threats, IT workers, and cryptocurrency theft. He noted that the U.S. remains committed to denuclearization, a priority that has been reaffirmed in recent G7 statements and in bilateral cooperation with South Korea and trilateral cooperation with Japan.

President Trump has made it clear that he is ready to talk with Chairman Kim Jong Un again.

— David StilwellHighlighting President Trump's willingness to re-engage in dialogue with North Korea.

Despite the U.S. openness to dialogue, North Korea has consistently rejected denuclearization as a topic for negotiation. A recent statement from Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un and a high-ranking party official, reiterated that North Korea's status as a nuclear power is a core interest that cannot be compromised. She criticized the G7's renewed focus on denuclearization as a futile pursuit and a reflection of the West's "pathetic situation."

Denuclearization is clearly still the priority of the Trump administration.

— David StilwellReaffirming the core objective of U.S. policy towards North Korea.

Former National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien echoed the administration's stance, highlighting that President Trump's foreign policy is guided not only by "peace through strength" but also by a "disdain for nuclear weapons." O'Brien suggested that Kim Jong Un would have observed the situation with Iran and understood the implications of the U.S. not tolerating nuclear proliferation in Asia, which could trigger a regional arms race.

Nuclear possession is our core interest that must be defended, and 'denuclearization' is an irreversible line that can never be crossed.

— Kim Yo JongA statement from the North Korean official rejecting any possibility of denuclearization.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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