Kim Yo-jong, a top North Korean foreign policy official, stated that the personal relationship between Kim Jong-un and former US President Donald Trump is "not bad". However, she warned that it would be "ludicrous" for Washington to "exploit the personal relationship between the two leaders" to end Pyongyang's nuclear program.

"If the US does not accept the changed reality and continues to cling to the past, any meeting between the leaders of the two countries will only fulfill Washington's hopes," Kim said, referring to past summits between Kim Jong-un and Trump.

Kim Yo-jong at an event in Pyongyang in 2022. Photo: KCTV

Kim Yo-jong at an event in Pyongyang in 2022. Photo: KCTV

Kim asserted that North Korea's capabilities have significantly changed since the leaders last met. "Any attempt to deny North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state will be completely rejected," she said.

In response to North Korea's statement, a White House official said that Trump remains committed to the goals he set for his three summits with Kim Jong-un. "The former president stands by those objectives and is prepared to work with Kim Jong-un towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea," the official stated.

North Korea has recently issued several strong statements directed at the US and South Korea. On 28/7, Kim Yo-jong declared that North Korea is not interested in any reconciliation policies from South Korea, claiming that Seoul is making a "serious miscalculation."

Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters)