Kim Jong Un has said North Korea could “get along” with the United States if Washington accepts that the country’s nuclear weapons are permanent.
Speaking at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang this week, Kim also confirmed plans to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and operational range.
The remarks matter because they come ahead of a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to China in April. The comments suggest Pyongyang may be leaving the door open to talks with Washington, but not on denuclearisation.
What exactly did Kim Jong Un say about US relations?
Kim told party delegates that North Korea and the United States could coexist peacefully, but only if the US “respects” its nuclear status, which Pyongyang has written into its constitution.
North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un:
“If the U.S. withdraws its policy of confrontation with North Korea by respecting our country’s current status…there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/VYdaeDO1wL
— ConflictLive (@conflict_live) February 26, 2026
According to state news agency KCNA, Kim said: “If Washington respects our present [nuclear] position as stipulated in the Constitution and withdraws its hostile policy, there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States.”
He added that the future of relations “depends entirely on the US attitude”.
However, Kim made clear that North Korea would not consider giving up its nuclear weapons. He previously told parliament in September 2024 that denuclearisation was “the last, last thing to expect from us”.
This marks a sharp shift from previous US policy, which has insisted on full denuclearisation since 2003.
Why is Kim Jong Un expanding North Korea’s nuclear programme?
During the five-yearly party congress, Kim pledged to:
- Increase the number of nuclear warheads
- Expand “nuclear operational means”
- Strengthen what he called the country’s “war deterrence”
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated in 2024 that North Korea possesses around 50 assembled nuclear warheads, with enough fissile material to produce up to 40 more.
However, analysts warn that secrecy around the regime makes it difficult to independently verify the true scale of progress.
In November 2024, Kim called for a “limitless” expansion of the nuclear programme, signalling long-term military ambition despite heavy international sanctions.
What does this mean for US foreign policy under Donald Trump?
Last year, President Trump released a global security roadmap that did not explicitly mention denuclearisation of North Korea, a notable break from every US National Security Strategy since 2003.
By comparison, Trump’s 2017 strategy described North Korea as a “rogue state” and mentioned the country 16 times as a nuclear threat.
The omission in the latest document has fuelled speculation that Washington may be open to freezing, rather than dismantling, North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
Talks between Trump and Kim last took place in 2019 but collapsed without agreement.
Why did Kim Jong Un criticise South Korea?
While signalling possible engagement with Washington, Kim used much stronger language toward Seoul.
He described South Korea as the North’s “most hostile entity” and said Pyongyang would “permanently exclude Seoul from the category of compatriots”.
Lors d’un défilé à l’occasion du 9e Congrès du Parti du travail de Corée, Kim Jong Un a salué les efforts de la population et de l’armée, appelant à poursuivre le développement du pays en s’appuyant sur les capacités nationales. pic.twitter.com/guf0zPhsZR
— KFA FRANCE 🇰🇵🇫🇷 (@KFA_FRANCE) February 26, 2026
An analyst speaking to AFP said the remarks suggest North Korea wants to deal directly with the United States without involving South Korea.
This approach sidelines Seoul diplomatically and increases pressure on Washington to respond independently.
For the UK, this matters because Britain remains a key ally of the US and a supporter of sanctions enforcement through the United Nations.
What role does Kim’s daughter Ju Ae play?
Images from the closing stages of the party congress showed Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, standing beside him at a military parade in Pyongyang.
National Intelligence Service in South Korea recently told lawmakers that Kim may have selected Ju Ae, believed to be around 13, as his successor.
Her repeated appearances at high-profile military events have strengthened speculation that she is being positioned as heir.
How strong is North Korea’s nuclear capability?
While North Korea continues to test intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), independent verification remains difficult.
Here’s what analysts estimate:
| Estimate (2024) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Assembled nuclear warheads | ~50 |
| Potential additional warheads (fissile material) | Up to 40 |
| Constitutional status | Nuclear power state |
Despite sanctions, North Korea has steadily advanced missile range and delivery systems.
