Portrait of Kim Jong Un
Politician · person
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

Kim Jong Un on Joe Biden

Vocal detractor (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Kim Jong Un's regime primarily views President Biden through severe insults and dismissals, preferring a posture of strategic confrontation.

Key Points

  • A top North Korean official insulted the President in April 2023, calling him "the person in his dotage."

  • The leader's regime initially framed the U.S. as its “foremost principal enemy” after the Biden administration took office in January 2021.

  • North Korea has signaled an intent to bolster ties with Russia to gain leverage against the U.S. security approach in October 2023.

Summary

Kim Jong Un's perspective on the Biden administration has been predominantly negative, characterized by public insults directed at the President, often delivered by his sister, Kim Yo-jong. A key instance involved a North Korean official comparing Joe Biden to a “person in his dotage” after the U.S. president warned that any North Korean nuclear attack would result in the end of the regime. This rhetoric followed a summit where Biden and the South Korean president enhanced nuclear deterrence cooperation, which Pyongyang viewed as an aggressive action pushing regional security into greater danger.

Analysts suggest that the North Korean leader seeks to restore dialogue from a position of strength under Biden, intending to coerce Washington for sanctions relief and recognition as a nuclear power, rather than engaging in genuine denuclearization. The regime signaled this strategy by labeling the United States as Pyongyang's “foremost principal enemy” shortly after the election, while simultaneously planning to boost military capabilities and deepen ties with Russia to build leverage against the U.S. and its allies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kim Jong Un's position on Joe Biden is overwhelmingly negative, with state messaging often involving direct insults aimed at the U.S. President. The regime has signaled that it views the U.S. under Biden as its primary adversary. This antagonism is framed against a backdrop of increased U.S.-South Korea military cooperation.

Yes, the stance has evolved from an initial state of waiting to assess the new administration to one of open hostility and confrontation. Early on, there was an expectation regarding how Kim would respond, which soon settled into a pattern of denigration and military posturing.

Kim Yo-jong, a key official in the regime, issued a broadside in April 2023, describing the President as 'nonsensical' and 'in his dotage.' This statement was a direct critique following the U.S. reaffirmation of its defense commitments to allies like South Korea.