South Korea Drops Immediate Denuclearization Demand — SkimNews
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- South Korea abandoned complete and immediate denuclearization as the starting point for diplomacy, proposing a three-step sequence to halt new weapons production, reduce the stockpile, and ultimately dismantle the arsenal; a nuclear-free peninsula remains Seoul’s long-term goal.
- Donald Trump told South Korean President Lee Jae-myung after the latest G-7 summit that it was "time to pay attention" to North Korea and agreed to consider Lee’s phased approach; the 2025 National Security Strategy omitted North Korea and the denuclearization goal.
- Kim Jong Un signaled willingness to meet Trump if Washington accepts reality and drops its "absurd obsession" with denuclearization.
- North Korea is estimated to have 60 nuclear warheads and fissile material for at least 30 more, has sent thousands of troops and munitions to Russia, deepened trade with China, and codified its permanent nuclear status in its constitution.
- China accounted for more than 98 percent of North Korea’s trade in 2025, while Singapore invited North Korea to attend the 2027 ASEAN Regional Forum and several Western countries reopened embassies in Pyongyang.
- Russia is reportedly seeking up to 30,000 additional North Korean troops for its war in Ukraine, on top of roughly 14,000 already deployed, a development the source links to Kim having fewer reasons to make concessions to Washington.
Why it matters: For Washington, the key change is procedural: Seoul’s three-step plan separates the long-term goal of a nuclear-free peninsula from the price of admission to talks. With North Korea estimated to hold 60 warheads and material for at least 30 more, the source frames the choice as engagement now or a later position with a larger arsenal and deeper Russia-China ties.
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