NORTH KOREAN leader Kim Jong Un revealed in his New Year’s Day speech that he is open to more talks or even a summit with his South Korean counterpart.

“We believe we can resume suspended senior-level talks and hold other talks on specific issues if South Korea sincerely has a position that it wants to improve North-South relations through a dialogue,” he said in a nationally televised address.

“And there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks if the atmosphere and conditions are met.”

Meeting such conditions has proven to be virtually impossible in the past.

The two countries have not held a summit since 2007 and, despite Mr Kim’s remarks, the likelihood of one happening again soon is very low given the deep distrust that remains between them.

Mr Kim noted that this year is particularly significant because it marks the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

On domestic policy, he indicated that he will stick to a “military first” policy and would pursue science, technology and economic policies aimed at improving living standards.

South Korean officials said that Seoul is waiting for the North to respond to its earlier proposal to hold talks this month to discuss a range of issues needed to prepare for the unification and other issues of mutual concern.

“If North Korea truly has a will to improve South-North relations through a dialogue, we hope it will quickly respond positively to our proposal for talks,” said South Korea’s Unification Ministry.