**Trump’s Willingness to Re-Engage in Talks: “I’ll Reach Out Again”**
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to reengage in diplomatic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, drawing attention to the motivations behind this move.
In an interview broadcasted on the 23rd (local time) by Fox News, Trump responded affirmatively to the question of whether he would “reach out” to Kim Jong-un again, stating, “I will.” However, he did not elaborate on the timing or specifics of the outreach.
Previously, Washington’s diplomatic circles predominantly believed that Trump would find it challenging to reignite dialogue with North Korea early in his second term. This was mainly due to his commitments to resolving the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, which were expected to be his diplomatic focus for the foreseeable future.
Now, there is speculation about Trump’s objectives in pursuing talks with North Korea. Some analysts suggest that even to resolve the Ukraine conflict, reopening dialogue with North Korea might be necessary.
In a December interview with Time magazine, Trump explained his vision for ending the Ukraine war, noting that “North Korea’s involvement adds another factor that complicates matters significantly.”
If Trump views the U.S.-North Korea dialogue as a means to end the Ukraine war, he might prioritize demanding North Korea to halt military aid and troop deployment to Russia. The rationale could be that cutting off this support might pressure Russia to engage in ceasefire negotiations.
In this scenario, North Korea’s denuclearization might become a secondary priority. Especially since both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have used the term “nuclear-armed North Korea,” there is growing interest in whether they are considering a “small deal” involving nuclear disarmament or freeze talks with North Korea.
North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities have advanced compared to the past, and through its cooperation with Russia, it has acquired the foreign currency and resources needed, gaining resilience against international sanctions. Most notably, North Korea has reiterated its unwillingness to abandon its nuclear arsenal.
Trump is aware of the difficulty in achieving denuclearization in the short term.
Concerns about “Korea passing” have also been raised. If Trump engages in direct top-down communication with Kim Jong-un, there is a significant chance that South Korea might be sidelined in the negotiation process.
While South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong and newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have promised close cooperation on North Korean nuclear issues during their first conversation on the 23rd, it remains uncertain whether South Korea-U.S. communication will continue amid South Korea’s domestic turmoil involving martial law and impeachment.