Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said another summit with President Trump this year would be improbable, but she requested the U.S. send DVDs of its July 4th celebrations.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday that Kim Yo Jong sends well wishes from her brother to Trump, adding that now is not the right time for them to have their third meeting, Bloomberg News reported.
Her comments came following Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun’s trip to South Korea and Japan, during which he attempted to revive denuclearization negotiations that began two years ago when Kim Jong Un and Trump first met.
“Given the differences in opinion between the two countries, it wouldn’t be beneficial or necessary for the two sides to meet unless there is a decisive change in the U.S. stance toward North Korea.” Kim Yo Jong said, according to KCNA.
The U.S. has yet to request another meeting with North Korea, Biegen said Wednesday, reaffirming the administration’s goals of removing nuclear weapons from the country.
Kim Yo Jong also said she had received permission from her brother to request DVDs of America’s Fourth of July celebrations from last week.
“I’m trying to personally obtain DVDs on U.S. Independence Day events from now on, and I’ve also gotten approval from the Chairman for that,” she reportedly said.
Since the first Trump-Kim summit two years ago, relations between the U.S. and North Korea have come with a mix of criticism and friendly overtones from Pyongyang.
Last month, Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon accused the Trump administration of breaking promises from the initial summit, including not easing sanctions, while claiming Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was exhibiting “gangster-liked behavior.”
Kim Yo Jong reaffirmed, however, that the nations’ relations remain peaceful.
“North Korea has no intention of harming the U.S.,” she said, “and Kim Jong Un has made this clear to Trump.”