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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signaled that Pyongyang could improve relations with the United States if it abandons what he described as a “hostile policy,” while rejecting recent dialogue proposals from South Korea as “deceptive,” state media reported Thursday.
Speaking at a congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim said there was “no reason not to get along with the United States” if Washington respects North Korea’s current status as defined in its Constitution and drops its hostile stance.
He warned that Pyongyang would respond accordingly if the United States maintains what he described as a confrontational approach.
“Whether it is peaceful coexistence or eternal confrontation, we are prepared for both,” Kim said, indicating that future ties depend on Washington’s next steps.
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While leaving open the possibility of engagement with the United States, Kim dismissed overtures from Seoul, underscoring ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The remarks come amid renewed speculation about diplomacy ahead of an expected April visit to China by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In response, South Korea’s presidential office said it would continue efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“Our government will continue efforts to open a future of co-prosperity in which the two Koreas can peacefully coexist and prosper together,” a senior presidential official said. “To this end, the South and the North should refrain from hostile and confrontational rhetoric and build a foundation of mutual respect and trust.”
Separately, North Korea staged a military parade in Pyongyang on Wednesday to mark the party congress.
Addressing the event, Kim praised the Korean People’s Army for its loyalty and described it as the core force defending national sovereignty.
“Our army will deliver devastating retaliatory attacks against any forces that commit hostile military acts infringing upon our national sovereignty and security interests,” he said, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
China on Thursday called for peace on the Korean Peninsula following Kim’s rejection of Seoul’s proposal for dialogue.
“As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China is closely monitoring developments there,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.
She added that a peaceful and stable peninsula is in the interest of all parties and expressed hope that they would work together toward that goal.
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