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North Korea in ‘dialogue’ preparation

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered his government to be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation with the Biden administration – but more for confrontation.

State media reported the remarks yesterday, days after the United States and others urged the North to abandon its nuclear programme and return to talks.

His statement indicates he will likely push to strengthen his nuclear arsenal and increase pressure on Washington to give up what North Korea considers a hostile policy toward the North, though he will also prepare for talks to resume, some experts say.

During an ongoing ruling party meeting on Thursday, he analysed in detail the policy tendencies of the US under President Joe Biden and clarified steps to be taken in relations with Washington, the Korean Central News Agency said. It did not specify the steps.

Kim “stressed the need to get prepared for both dialogue and confrontation, especially to get fully prepared for confrontation in order to protect the dignity of our state” and ensure national security.

In 2018-19, Kim held a series of summits with then-president Donald Trump to discuss North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal. But the negotiations fell apart after Trump rejected Kim’s calls for extensive sanctions relief in return for a partial surrender of his nuclear capability. Biden has worked to formulate a new approach on North Korea’s nuclear programme that it describes as “calibrated and practical”.

US officials say Biden will seek a middle ground between Trump’s direct meetings and Barack Obama’s “strategic patience”.