US says talks with North Korea can possibly resume, Kim Jong Un’s sister says no

The two countries have been in deadlock over nuclear talks since February 2019.

Julia Yeo | June 23, 2021, 05:10 PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister dismissed talks that North Korea could be resuming diplomatic talks with the United States, in a statement released by state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday (June 22).

Kim Jong Un's sister dismisses prospects of nuclear talks resuming

Kim Yo Jong, the communist leader's powerful younger sister, said that the U.S.' expectations of a resumption of diplomacy with North Korea anytime soon "would plunge them into a greater disappointment", reported AP.

The younger Kim is a senior figure in the North Korean ruling party, and is considered one of the leader's closest confidantes.

After the older Kim said last week that North Korea must be ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the U.S., albeit more for the latter, U.S. National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said that his comments was an "interesting signal", which was interpreted as hope for a restart of nuclear talks between the two countries.

However, Sullivan's response was bluntly dismissed by the leader's sister. She said:

"It seems that the U.S. may interpret the situation in such a way as to seek a comfort for itself," KCNA quoted her as saying.

"The expectation, which they chose to harbor the wrong way, would plunge them into a greater disappointment."

U.S. and North Korea in deadlock over nuclear talks

North Korea has been pushing the same message for months, said Shin Beomchul, an analyst at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy in South Korea, according to AP.

He pointed out that North Korea has no intention to resume talks with the U.S. unless the latter offers significant concessions, possibly in the form of the easing of economic sanctions.

However, the Biden administration is not likely to budge either, said Shin.

"Both parties are locked in a waiting game -- North Korea wants the U.S. to make concessions first, and the U.S. has no intentions to match a level of action the North is demanding," Shin said.

U.S. offered talks with North Korea "anywhere, anytime, without preconditions"

Kim Yo Jong's remarks came a day after the U.S. top envoy on North Korean affairs, Sung Kim, said that the U.S. had offered talks with North Korea "anywhere, anytime and without preconditions" during his 5-day visit to Seoul, according to The Guardian.

Sung Kim said on Monday (June 21) that he hoped to see a positive reaction from the North Korean government soon, but noted that the sanctions led by the U.S. will remain.

The U.S. said it would seek "calibrated and practical" ways of persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, after a recent review of its approach towards the country.

However, the younger Kim's recent statement may be a signal to thwart prospects of the resumption of nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea, which have been in deadlock since February 2019, when the North Korean leader met former U.S. president Donald Trump in Vietnam.

The summit ended in disagreement after the U.S. rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for partial moves towards disarmament, reported The Guardian.

Top image via Getty