Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed a willingness to improve relations with the United States, provided that Washington abandons its hostile policy toward North Korea. However, he rejected South Korea's attempts at dialogue, labeling them as "deceptive," North Korean state media reported on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's comments were made during a policy review session at the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, which concluded its weeklong meetings the previous day. Kim stated that there is no reason for North Korea not to get along with the United States if it respects North Korea's status as defined in its constitution and ceases its hostile approach. He emphasized that the future of North Korea-U.S. relations depends entirely on the U.S. attitude, warning that North Korea would respond accordingly if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.

Kim indicated that North Korea is open to either peaceful coexistence or continued confrontation, noting that the choice rests with the U.S. His remarks come as President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China in April is anticipated to offer a chance to resume summit talks with Kim, following Trump's repeated overtures. In contrast, Kim criticized the South Korean government under Lee Jae Myung, accusing it of deceitful reconciliatory gestures and stating that North Korea would permanently exclude South Korea from being considered as "the same people."

In 2023, Kim characterized inter-Korean relations as adversarial and has since upheld a hostile policy toward Seoul. He asserted that North Korea would not engage with South Korea, denouncing it as "the most hostile entity" and accusing past South Korean administrations of attempting to destabilize the North Korean regime.

Additionally, Kim reaffirmed North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state and pledged to enhance its military capabilities. He stated that strengthening the country's nuclear forces is a firm objective of the ruling party, emphasizing that North Korea's nuclear status serves as a deterrent to potential threats and helps maintain regional stability. Kim described the country's nuclear weapons as a safeguard for its security and interests.