The U.S. is expected to clarify its stance soon regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s insistence that the U.S. abandon its denuclearization objectives as a prerequisite for dialogue. This clarification is likely to come through President Donald Trump’s first address to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly since his return to office.
President Trump is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech during the high-level segment of the 80th UN General Assembly on Tuesday. According to the White House, he intends to emphasize the end of seven global wars and conflicts and America’s renewed strength. This indicates that Trump plans to use the UN stage to highlight his diplomatic achievements.
As a result, diplomatic circles are closely monitoring for any potential new remarks from President Trump regarding North Korea. In particular, speculation is rife that he might respond to Kim’s comment about having good memories of their relationship.
During a speech at the 13th session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly on September 20-21, Kim stated that if the U.S. can shed its unrealistic obsession with denuclearization and pursue genuine peaceful coexistence with us based on an acknowledgment of reality, it has no reason not to face the U.S. He argued that dialogue becomes feasible only if the term denuclearization is abandoned. Kim also mentioned his personal rapport with President Trump as a good memory, suggesting that a North Korea–U.S. summit remains an element of his diplomatic strategy.
Even before his return to office, President Trump repeatedly referred to his good relationship with Kim, expressing a strong desire for U.S.–North Korea dialogue. During the U.S.–South Korea summit with President Lee Jae Myung on August 25, Trump responded to Lee’s request to be a peacemaker by stating that he looks forward to meeting Kim and will work to improve the relationship.
Moreover, President Trump has often labeled North Korea as a nuclear power. Kim’s assertion that dialogue is only attainable if denuclearization is not pursued may not pose a significant challenge for Trump. Consequently, he might utilize the global diplomatic platform provided by the UN General Assembly to extend a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea, thereby showcasing his diplomatic acumen.
Prospects for Activating the U.S.–North Korea New York Channel are Growing… South Korean Government Closely Monitoring
North Korea is expected to dispatch a high-level delegation from Pyongyang to the UN General Assembly for the first time in seven years. Kim Sun-kyung, the vice foreign minister in charge of international organizations, is anticipated to lead the delegation. The New York Channel refers to communications between North Korea and the U.S. conducted through North Korea’s UN mission. Some speculate that Kim Sun-kyung might carry a message from Pyongyang to the U.S.
The South Korean government is carefully monitoring the situation and exploring various diplomatic avenues to link any potential U.S.–North Korea contact to inter-Korean dialogue. Should President Trump deliver a forward-looking message toward North Korea at the UN General Assembly and contact via the New York Channel materialize, it could pave the way for both U.S.–North Korea dialogue and inter-Korean discussions.
A diplomatic source remarked that they are monitoring the possibility of behind-the-scenes contact between North Korea and the U.S. through the New York Channel, adding, given the current situation, it would be burdensome for North Korea and the U.S. to activate an unofficial channel that directly involves intelligence authorities from both Washington and Pyongyang.
Another source explained that dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. must commence first for them to play a role in the process, noting that the U.S. often mentions that once dialogue begins, it will certainly communicate with South Korea regarding its North Korea policy.
Professor Kim Jae-cheon of Sogang University’s Graduate School of International Studies commented that the chances of U.S.–North Korea contact or a forward-looking message from Trump are slim. However, he added that given Trump’s unpredictable nature, he might unexpectedly send a conciliatory message toward Kim. Professor Kim noted that Trump fundamentally does not trust the role of the UN, so he might feel free to express his thoughts, and in the process, Kim could be mentioned.