Kim Jong Un makes overtures for talks with Washington, but ready for fight

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country should prepare for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, particularly confrontation, state media KCNA reported on Friday, in his first direct comment on the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, Reuters reports.

Kim gave a detailed analysis of the Biden administration's North Korea policy at a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's central committee on Thursday, and laid out "appropriate strategic and tactical counteraction" to deal with Washington, KCNA said.

"The General Secretary stressed the need to get prepared for both dialogue and confrontation, especially to get fully prepared for confrontation in order to protect the dignity of our state and its interests for independent development."

Such moves would "reliably guarantee the peaceful environment and the security of our state," KCNA said.

Kim also emphasized the need to create a "favorable external climate" for the North's own initiatives.

The report did not provide details of any course of action.

Kim's remarks came two days before the newly appointed U.S. envoy for North Korea, Sung Kim, is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on his first visit since assuming the role last month.

He will hold talks with South Korean and Japanese counterparts and meet other Seoul officials during his stay until June 23, the State Department said on Thursday.

Kim's comments continue a "wait and see" policy, while refraining from provoking the Biden administration, said Vipin Narang, a nuclear affairs expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

"It seems to suggest that Pyongyang thinks the ball is in the U.S. court at the moment, and it is waiting to see how the Biden administration outreach goes," he said.

"Given reports of North Korea's food and coronavirus situation, one presumes that Kim is also happy to avoid a near term confrontation."

Yang Moo Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Kim appeared to be sending a message to Washington that he would be willing to return to talks at some point.

"Despite mentioning confrontation, he refrained from criticizing both the South and the United States while highlighting the need to maintain a stable geopolitical situation," Yang said.