Recent North Korean statements have rejected the idea of new talks, and Kim reiterated Pyongyang’s objections to what it sees as hostile and self-serving policies by the United States, including continuing to impose sanctions.
“We are not saying we will never denuclearize, but we are making it clear that we cannot do it now,” Kim Yo Jong said.
Her comments were couched in a somewhat softer tone than previous statements, and she even noted she had received special permission to view recordings of the recent Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
“We have no intention of threatening the U.S.,” she said. “As long as they don’t touch us and hurt us, everything will flow as is.”
Kim said her brother had instructed her to pass on greetings to Trump and send him wishes for success. But even if the relationship between the leaders is good, Washington will return to being hostile, she said.
Kim Jong Un and Trump have met three times, but failed to find a compromise over the North’s nuclear weapons program, or the international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. (Reporting by Sangmi Cha and Josh Smith; Editing by Leslie Adler and Tom Brown)