Kim Warns State of Hostility Could Return to Korean Peninsula

Following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reiterated his desire to see the US be “more flexible” in future talks, saying that progress depended on the US, and a state of hostility could easily return to the Korean Peninsula.

Kim has emphasized the importance of the US changing its attitude since the failed Hanoi Summit in February, and while it seems hard to envision things going back to the way they were, it’s only been a little over a year since diplomacy really began in earnest.

US refusal to give North Korea anything in return for progress on denuclearization is increasingly a big problem, with Kim saying the US needs to come in with a better attitude by year’s end, or their posture is going to change.

Putin has urged the US to offer security guarantees as an easy way to reassure North Korea. Though there is no sign the US will be doing so, President Trump did “thank” Putin for his comments, saying he believes Putin is backing the US position on North Korea, and wants to see a deal made.