Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed a willingness to improve relations with the United States if Washington abandons its hostile policy towards the North. However, he dismissed South Korea's attempts at dialogue as deceptive, according to the North's state media.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made these statements during a policy review session at the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. The session concluded a weeklong congress and emphasized that North Korea-U.S. relations depend entirely on the U.S. attitude. Kim indicated that North Korea is prepared for either peaceful coexistence or continued confrontation, depending on the U.S. stance.

Kim's remarks suggest an openness to dialogue with Washington, particularly as President Donald Trump's visit to China is anticipated to create opportunities for summit talks. In contrast, Kim criticized the South Korean administration's reconciliatory gestures, labeling them as deceitful and asserting that South Korea would be permanently excluded from any cooperative category.

The North Korean leader maintained a hostile stance towards Seoul, accusing past South Korean administrations of destabilizing efforts and describing current inter-Korean relations as adversarial. He warned that the only path to safety for South Korea is to sever connections with Pyongyang and avoid provocation.

Kim also announced plans to fortify the border with South Korea, emphasizing the exclusion of South Korea from future dealings. He reaffirmed North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state and committed to advancing the country's nuclear capabilities, including the potential development of a seaborne intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) over the next five years.

The congress also highlighted Kim's vision for economic development, focusing on trade, tourism, airspace, and artificial intelligence sectors. The event concluded with a military parade attended by Kim and his family, showcasing North Korea's military might.