North Korea has rebuffed former President Donald Trump’s assertions of friendship with Kim Jong-Un, dismissing his recent comments as inconsequential. Trump, speaking at the Republican National Convention last week, claimed that Kim “misses” him and expressed a desire for their relationship to resume.
However, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued a commentary on Wednesday, stating bluntly, “We do not care,” in response to Trump’s remarks. The agency elaborated that Trump’s presidency did not yield any significant positive changes in their bilateral relations and reiterated North Korea’s perception of U.S. policies as inherently hostile, as reported by Bloomberg.
Trump’s assertions were highlighted during his keynote address in Milwaukee, where he touted his ability to get along with Kim and suggested a mutual desire for continued interaction. “I get along with him; he’d like to see me back too. I think he misses me if you want to know,” Trump remarked to supporters.
In contrast, KCNA emphasized that personal relationships should not overshadow diplomatic realities, particularly in the context of enduring U.S. political dynamics. “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,” the commentary stated.
This latest commentary marks North Korea’s first official response to Trump’s claims since his remarks at the convention. Trump revisited the topic during a rally in Michigan, recalling conversations with Kim about nuclear weapons and proposing leisure activities like attending baseball games together.
“It’s a good thing to get along, not a bad thing. I used to tell him, ‘why don’t you do something else?’ All he [Kim] wants to do is buy nuclear weapons and make them,” Trump asserted, as reported by Independent. Reflecting on his historic 2019 visit to North Korea, Trump highlighted moments of personal interaction aimed at fostering rapport with the North Korean leader.
Despite Trump’s assertions, North Korea’s response underscores their cautious stance towards U.S. overtures and the primacy of their strategic interests amid ongoing international scrutiny over their nuclear ambitions. The divergence in perceptions highlights the complexities of diplomacy with North Korea and the enduring impact of past presidential engagements on bilateral relations.
