The dictator had previously remained silent whether North Korea would send a delegation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
However, in his New Year’s speech Kim Jong-un announced his regime is open to talks with Seoul and could send a team to compete in the games.
Kim Jong-un said: “The Winter Games to be held in South Korea will be a good occasion for the country.
“We sincerely hope that the Winter Olympics will be a success.
“We are ready to take various steps, including the dispatch of the delegation. To this end, the two Koreas can immediately meet.
“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the North Korean regime’s establishment, and the South will host the Winter Games. This year holds significance for the two Koreas.”
Kim Jong-un’s announcement comes after the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, revealed that America may not send athletes to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics because of North Korea’s threat of war.
Ms Haley said that it remains an “open question” whether to send athletes to the event in South Korea which takes place between February 9 and 25.
Pyongyang missed the October deadline to confirm whether it would send its figure skating pairs team, but the doors are still open for North Korea, as the International Olympic Committee may grant select North Korean athletes wild-card entries.
However the despotic leader also made it clear that North Korea will not give up its nuclear and missile programme, adding that a “nuclear button” is always placed on his desk.
North Korea did not send a team to the last Winter Olympics in 2014 – which was hosted by its ally Russia.
The rogue state sent two athletes to the 2012 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada and six to the competition in 2006 – hosted by Italy.
Earlier Kim Jong-un had been urged to let his athletes take part in the Winter Olympics as event bosses hoped the despot’s weakness for sport would eventually make him cave.
South Korea last year tried everything in their power to try to coax Pyongyang to accept an invitation to the Pyeongchang Olympics and ease the tensions that have hurt ticket sales.
Seoul MP Song Ki-hun said: “We are doing our utmost for the North’s participation but Kim Jong-un is very unpredictable.”
Kim, a basketball fan who counts former NBA star Dennis Rodman as a friend, has boosted athlete spending as part of his ambition to turn the North into a “sports power”.