In brief
In Seoul on November 4, Kim Yo-jong reiterated that North Korea would consider dialogue with the United States as a path to peace, but only if the talks honor Pyongyang’s national interests and sovereignty. She criticized the FBI’s claim that the regime was behind a $6 billion cryptocurrency theft from Binance and warned that U.S. actions could undermine the North Korean state.
Seoul, November 4 – North Korea’s Kim Yo‑jong, the younger sister of leader Kim Jong‑un, told reporters that dialogue with the United States remains a viable path to peace, but the talks must mainly pursue Pyongyang’s national interests and never threaten the regime’s sovereignty.
Kim said the only way to achieve peace and reunification is through dialogue. She added that the United States should not use the opportunity to undermine the North Korean state.
The only path to peace and reunification is a dialogue.
She cautioned that any engagement should not jeopardize the sovereignty of North Korea, noting that the country’s diplomatic initiatives must protect its national security and independence.
The remarks came the day after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that it had tied a $6 billion cryptocurrency hack at the world’s largest exchange, Binance, to the North Korean regime.
Kim blasted the FBI’s attribution as a “grave political provocation” and framed the hacking case as a “tip of the iceberg” demonstrating the United States’ hostile policy toward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The so‑called ‘cryptocurrency hacking case by the DPRK’ is no more than a tip of the iceberg that shows the essence of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK.
She also pointed to a recent meeting among the top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan, where the three pledged to pursue complete denuclearization of North Korea while conducting joint military drills, citing it as another example of U.S. hostility.
During the press briefing, Kim noted that the choice for peace includes dialogue, but she cautioned that it should not equate to sacrificing the regime’s own interests. “The choice for peace includes dialogue of course, but this is not surely equated with national interests for us,” she said.
Kim’s comments underline the United Nations‑sanctioned self‑defence doctrine that has guided North Korea’s foreign policy for decades. The regime has repeatedly warned that it will not relent in its nuclear aspirations unless it feels secure and respected on the world stage.
South Korean officials echoed that the country remains open to diplomatic engagement, but only in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty and political system. Meanwhile, Washington officials have maintained that they are willing to explore constructive dialogue, provided it is accompanied by verifiable compliance with international legal obligations.
The United States has repeatedly asserted that any negotiation must hinge on the dismantlement of North Korea’s weapons programs and must not favor punitive covenants that heighten tensions.
Experts say that Kim’s remarks reflect a strategic positioning that seeks to keep diplomatic options open while resisting external pressure. They note that the regime’s fear of vulnerability – especially in light of the FBI revelations – may motivate a cautious approach to talks.
Beyond the immediate diplomatic standoff, the $6 billion crypto theft claims could influence future negotiations over sanctions, technology transfers, and humanitarian aid, all of which remain contentious issues between Pyongyang and Washington.
In the days since the FBI announcement, the United States has confirmed the presence of North Korean-linked digital wallets involved in the theft. It has also emphasised that the investigation was part of a broader effort to curb illicit finance facilitating warfare and weapons development.
North Korea’s government has repeatedly dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. The party’s state-controlled media has criticised the United States for using the incident as a pretext to impose new sanctions and to delegitimize the regime.
Kim Yo‑jong’s statement was disseminated via the Korean Central News Agency and immediately appeared on the news feeds of a number of international outlets, including Yonhap, Ground News and, more recently, free media platforms. The response from international observers remains mixed, with some calling for restraint and others demanding stricter sanctions.
With negotiations stalled and sanctions tightened, the international community will closely monitor how the North Korean regime balances domestic expectations of security with the global desire for stability in the Korean Peninsula.
