North Korea, which had been largely silent about the U.S. presidential election, responded today. They acknowledged the friendship between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Still, they stated they “do not care” about the U.S. presidential election and ruled out dialogue. This response suggests North Korea is starting to show interest in the U.S. election.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state-run media outlet, cited Trump’s remarks during his nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, in which he stated, “I get along with him [Kim Jong Un]. He’d like to see me back, too.”
Notably, North Korea acknowledged the so-called “bromance and the chemistry” between Kim and Trump.
The KCNA noted, “It is true that Trump attempted to reflect personal relationships between leaders in the inter-state relations while he was in office.” Furthermore, it stated, “Public affairs are public, and private affairs are private,” indicating that North Korea recognizes the mutual goodwill between Kim and Trump, which has influenced relations between the two countries.
This commentary surfaced as Trump’s approval ratings increased following an assassination attempt against him and amidst news that President Joe Biden will not seek re-election in November, potentially boosting Trump’s chances. Significantly, a statement addressing U.S.-North Korea relations and the supreme leader would not be made without Kim Jong Un’s approval.
North Korea, previously very hostile toward the Biden administration, referred to the U.S. election and emphasized the close ties between Trump and Kim. This suggests North Korea is watching for potential openings for engagement should there be a change in the U.S. administration.
However, North Korea evaluated that past denuclearization negotiations “did not bring about substantial positive changes.” It stated, “Even if any administration takes office in the U.S., the political climate, which is confused by the infighting of the two parties, does not change and, accordingly, we do not care about this.” This suggests North Korea is emphasizing its lack of interest in improving relations with the U.S. unless it first extends the olive branch.
North Korea also criticized the U.S. for lacking essential trustworthiness, citing how the Bush administration overturned agreements made by the Clinton administration and accused the U.S. of pursuing the most vicious and persistent hostile policies toward North Korea for 80 years.
Nevertheless, the commentary also contained hints of setting conditions for dialogue.
The KCNA stated, “There is no need for dialogue if it is merely an extension of confrontation with ulterior motives,” while also questioning, “How can we trust any dialogue or negotiation when the U.S. continues to deploy nuclear strategic assets and enhance advanced military equipment recklessly?”
It continued, “The U.S. must deeply consider the gains and losses of the U.S.-North Korea confrontation and make the right choices moving forward,” asserting that whether the confrontation clock stops depends entirely on U.S. actions. This suggests that a positive change in U.S. behavior from the U.S. could be the key to resuming dialogue.
The commentary also suggested that North Korea might undertake significant provocations during the August joint exercises between the U.S. and South Korea. It criticized the inclusion of U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Super Hornets in the exercises, claiming that this indicates the U.S. is actively escalating a comprehensive confrontation with North Korea, hinting at a possible counter-response.
North Korea’s commentary appears to express its interest in the U.S. election. However, using the low form of a media commentary rather than a high-ranking official’s statement seems to convey a cautious approach, reflecting the challenging state of U.S.-North Korea relations.
Following this stance, North Korea is expected to continue its close diplomatic alignment with Russia, respond strongly to the Biden administration’s pressure, and closely monitor the U.S. presidential election process.