North Korea’s dictator doubles down on nuclear defiance, vowing never to surrender his arsenal — while extending an unusual note of praise toward President Trump.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared Sunday that his nation will “never lay down our nuclear weapons,” rejecting international pressure even as he offered warm words for U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The world knows well what the U.S. does after it forces others to give up their nuclear program and disarm,” Kim told a parliamentary gathering, according to Bloomberg.
In a surprising twist, Kim added a personal note of respect:
“Personally, I still have good memories of the current U.S. President Trump. There is no reason not to face the U.S. if it accepts reality.”
His remarks come just weeks after Trump signaled interest in meeting Kim later this year, recalling their “very good relationship.” During Trump’s first presidency, the two met three times — in Singapore, Hanoi, and at the Korean border. While the summits made history, they failed to secure denuclearization.
Since then, North Korea has ramped up its provocations. In 2024 alone, Pyongyang launched dozens of missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile in November. Earlier this year, Kim urged the expansion of nuclear capabilities and personally oversaw a cruise missile launch, instructing his forces to be prepared for nuclear strikes at any moment.
For Israel and its allies, Kim’s declaration is a sober reminder: rogue regimes that defy accountability — whether in Pyongyang, Tehran, or Gaza — rely on nuclear brinkmanship and terror sponsorship as leverage against the free world.
