Kim Jong Un says potential for improved North Korea-US relations remains open
Tokyo (ANTARA) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has affirmed that Pyongyang is open to improving relations with the United States if Washington ceases its hostile policies.
This statement was made by Kim during the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) congress, held every five years, which concluded on Wednesday with a military parade in the evening.
Kim attended the event with his son, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and now a teenager, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.
In a report regarding North Korea’s policies over the past five years, Kim stated, “We are fully prepared to confront the US in the future.”
According to him, Washington has yet to change its “original hostile stance” towards Pyongyang. However, if the US ceases its hostility, Kim affirmed that “there is no reason for us not to have good relations.”
But, the potential for improved bilateral relations depends entirely on the US’s attitude, he said.
“Peaceful coexistence or eternal confrontation, we are prepared for everything, and this choice is not determined by us,” Kim said, as quoted by KCNA.
Donald Trump has, on several occasions, affirmed his willingness to resume dialogue with Kim since becoming US President again in January last year.
The two leaders had met three times between 2018 and 2019 during Trump’s first term, but nuclear negotiations between the two countries failed to continue.
Furthermore, Kim reaffirmed “the firm determination of our party to further expand and strengthen the national nuclear force,” an effort he called essential for the nation’s deterrence strategy.
Regarding relations with South Korea, Kim highlighted Pyongyang’s policy that it will never recognize Seoul as a fellow nation, and North Korea will continue to recognize Seoul as a “very hostile country and eternal enemy.”
Kim also rejected the reconciliation approach of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, calling it a “clumsy and deceptive joke and a bad move.”
Since becoming President of South Korea in June last year, Lee has taken steps to ease tensions with North Korea, ending the confrontational policy chosen by his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
The North Korean leader warned that his side could launch any response if South Korea disturbs their security, while saying that he could not rule out “total destruction” of South Korea.
Last Thursday, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification expressed deep concern over Pyongyang’s decision to continue considering South Korea as an enemy state. Seoul will continue to maintain patience and consistently support peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim Jong Un’s report did not mention Pyongyang’s policy regarding Japan.
According to reports and photos released by KCNA, the military parade held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang did not feature large-scale weapons such as intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, North Korean military personnel assigned to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine reportedly participated in the parade.
Source: Kyodo
Translator: Nabil Ihsan