North Korea's Kim vows toughest anti-U.S. policy ahead of Trump’s return

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to pursue the "toughest" anti-U.S. policy, state media reported on Sunday, just weeks before Donald Trump is set to re-enter the White House as U.S. president.

Trump's return raises speculation about the possibility of renewed high-profile diplomacy with North Korea. During his first term, Trump met Kim three times to discuss the North's nuclear program. However, experts suggest that a swift resumption of summits is unlikely, as Trump is expected to prioritize conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. North Korea’s backing of Russia in its war against Ukraine also complicates any diplomatic revival, according to analysts.

Kim's vision for counteraction

During a five-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party that concluded Friday, Kim denounced the U.S. as “the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy.” He criticized the strengthening U.S.-South Korea-Japan security partnership, describing it as evolving into “a nuclear military bloc for aggression.”

“This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” Kim stated, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim outlined strategies for the “toughest anti-U.S. counteraction,” emphasizing bolstered military capabilities through advancements in defense technology and the importance of mental resilience among North Korean soldiers.

A strained history of diplomacy

Kim’s speech marks a stark contrast to the personal rapport he developed with Trump during their past meetings, which momentarily eased tensions between the two nations. Trump once remarked that he and Kim had “fallen in love.” However, their negotiations collapsed in 2019 due to disagreements over U.S.-led sanctions.

Since then, North Korea has ramped up its weapons testing to create more reliable nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies. In response, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan have increased their military exercises, which North Korea perceives as preparation for an invasion.

Deepening military ties with Russia

Further complicating diplomatic efforts, North Korea has strengthened its military ties with Russia. Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean officials indicate that North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. In return, there are concerns that Russia could share advanced weapons technology with North Korea, potentially aiding its nuclear missile development.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently reported significant North Korean casualties, estimating 3,000 troops killed or wounded in Russia’s Kursk region since October.

Challenges on the global stage

Efforts to impose additional U.N. sanctions on North Korea have been thwarted by Russia and China, both of whom are in disputes with the U.S. Meanwhile, Kim continues to justify his country’s nuclear buildup as the only viable defense against what he describes as persistent U.S. hostility.

As Trump prepares for his return to office, the path forward with North Korea remains uncertain, overshadowed by intensifying military tensions and the geopolitical complexities of the region