金与正 Says U.S. Talks Remain an Option, Sets Condition for Resolution

North Korean official 金与正 said Wednesday that talks with the United States remain an option for peace while rejecting the FBI’s attribution of Binance’s $6.3 billion theft to North Korea.

She said dialogue with Washington was not necessary to protect North Korea’s national interests. She described the FBI’s accusation as part of what she called a broader U.S. hostile policy toward North Korea.

Kim made abandoning that policy a precondition for resolving the issue and said North Korea had no reason to negotiate otherwise. She warned that North Korea would respond but did not specify what action it would take.

The FBI attributed the $6.3 billion crypto asset theft from Binance to North Korea on Oct. 31 and identified related cyber activity as TraderTraitor. Kim had rejected the attribution in a Nov. 2 statement. Her latest remarks add her position on talks with Washington and the condition she says must be met to resolve the issue.