North Korea has maintained a firm rejection of direct or indirect diplomatic engagement with South Korea, with Kim Yo Jong stating in early October that Pyongyang has “no business dealing” with Seoul and no need for face-to-face contact under current conditions. This stance follows a September DMZ landmine incident that injured South Korean soldiers, mutual accusations over responsibility, and a series of North Korean ballistic missile launches in recent weeks. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has repeatedly called for renewed talks and tension-reduction measures, while coordinating with the United States and Japan on denuclearization efforts. Any near-term shift would likely require changes in Pyongyang’s posture or developments around potential U.S.–North Korea contacts, such as those floated ahead of the November APEC summit.