Kim signals openness to US ties while calling South Korea ‘most hostile’
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 26, 2026
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed a willingness to improve relations with the United States if Washington respects Pyongyang’s nuclear status, while simultaneously labeling South Korea as its “most hostile” enemy. During a landmark party congress, Kim emphasized that North Korea could coexist with the U.S. if the latter abandoned its hostile policies and recognized the nation's nuclear capabilities as outlined in its Constitution. However, he made it clear that South Korea remains Pyongyang’s primary adversary, calling it a “hostile state” for the first time under the recently amended constitution.
Kim’s remarks come amid speculation about a potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to China. This follows Trump's overtures towards North Korea last year, including acknowledging it as a nuclear power and expressing openness to dialogue. However, Kim appeared to shut down any possibility of closer ties with South Korea, stating that Seoul’s recent conciliatory efforts were deceptive and that the two nations had “absolutely no business dealing” with each other.
The congress also featured a grand military parade showcasing North Korea's latest weapons, a display often used to demonstrate its military strength. Pyongyang has grown increasingly aligned with Russia, receiving economic support in exchange for military technology, which has lessened its urgency to engage with U.S. dialogue initiatives.
Analysts suggest that North Korea’s growing ties with Russia provide an economic lifeline, effectively countering the impact of international sanctions. This shift underscores a strategic reorientation that prioritizes Moscow over Washington, reflecting Kim's broader foreign policy goals and his determination to maintain nuclear capabilities despite ongoing tensions with South Korea and the United States.
This situation matters globally as it influences the dynamics of nuclear proliferation, regional stability in East Asia, and the viability of diplomatic efforts to address North Korea’s nuclear program. The potential for high-level meetings between Trump and Kim adds a layer of unpredictability, while Pyongyang's hardened stance toward Seoul raises concerns about further escalations in an already volatile region.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/26/2026