Kim Jong Un Has No Intention of Negotiating Away Nuclear Weapons: U.S. Threat Assessment

Mar 26

1 min read

News Summary

Kim Jong Un has no intention of negotiating away his nuclear and strategic weapons programs, viewing them as essential for regime security and national pride, according to the U.S. Intelligence Community's 2025 Annual Threat Assessment.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard emphasized that North Korea is likely ready to conduct another nuclear test and continues testing ICBMs to strengthen its negotiation leverage.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's openness to renewed talks, the report highlights Kim’s unwillingness to denuclearize. The report also notes increasing Russian support for North Korea’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for its backing in the Ukraine conflict.

North Korea aims to gain at least tacit recognition as a nuclear power and enhance its ability to threaten the U.S., its regional forces, and allies like South Korea and Japan.

Commentary

Kim Jong Un's unwavering commitment to its nuclear and strategic weapons programs, when combined with signs of internal unrest, points to a future of increased volatility and risk.

Kim Jong-un is likely to lean even more heavily on external threats—such as missile launches and nuclear tests—to divert attention from domestic challenges and consolidate internal control through nationalism and fear.

At the same time, the regime’s deep-rooted belief that its nuclear arsenal guarantees survival means that genuine denuclearization negotiations remain highly unlikely.

Internal pressure may drive the regime to become even more repressive, tightening its grip on the population while using military provocations to extract international concessions.

This fragile balance of internal control and external aggression makes North Korea more unpredictable, raising the risk of miscalculation and escalating tensions in the region.