South Korea’s intelligence service, the National Intelligence Service , reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown readiness to engage in direct talks with the United States under certain conditions. According to the NIS, this signals a potential summit between the U.S. and North Korea once the right timing and terms are established.
The big caveat: Kim appears to expect the U.S. to soften long-standing demands for full denuclearisation before he will commit to meaningful dialogue.
What the Intelligence Service Sees and When
During a parliamentary audit, the NIS remarked that North Korea has quietly prepared the groundwork for possible engagement with Washington. That groundwork includes reviewing U.S. policy shifts and aligning internal messaging.
The NIS also suggested that a concrete summit might occur after the next major U.S.–South Korea military exercises scheduled for March 2026, essentially putting the earliest realistic window around the second quarter of that year.
Pyongyang’s Terms Dialogue, But On Their Terms
Kim has reiterated several times that while he is open to talks, he views the U.S.’s insistence on full denuclearisation as non-starter. He wants a deal that involves peaceful coexistence rather than full relinquishment of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
That stance harks back to earlier summits such as those between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018-19 but this time the geopolitical environment is different, with North Korea staking a firmer position.
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