In his New Year’s address, the leader of the hermit nation struck a conciliatory note and declared his wish for “peaceful resolution with our southern border”.

In his address Kim said: “North and South must work together to alleviate the tensions and work together as a people of the same heritage to find peace and stability.”

He wished the nation success with hosting the event in the region of Pyeongchang and said he wants to start talks with representatives about sending a delegation “as soon as possible”.

Robert A Manning resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council says this could be a real step forward in relations on the Korean peninsula, but could also be a ploy to drive a wedge between North Korea and the US.

He told Express.co.uk: “[Kim] went well beyond that in what appears at least a tactical shift, explicitly calling for talks which suggest at a minimum reopening a North-South dialogue channel and most likely participating in the ROK Winter Olympics.

“For Kim, it appears to be returning to the North Korean playbook to try and drive a wedge between the US and ROK when there is a leftist government in Seoul.”

He added the comments may be an indication international sanctions against the country are “starting to bite”.

Adding: “In any case, North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics in itself is not a bad thing. 

“In fact, it may help reduce tensions and make it less likely that Pyongyang will engage in provocative actions during this period.”

Mr Manning is “sceptical” this will bring peace on the Korean peninsula and the denuclearisation of North Korea, but remains hopeful pressures would change the situation, as “it took time for comprehensive sanctions to bring Iran to the table, so it is not out of the question that similar pressures could in time change North Korean calculus”.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Kim's comments.

His spokesman, Park Soo-hyun, said: ”The (President's office) has been expressing its intent to talk with North Korea anytime, anywhere and regardless of formality if this is for the normalisation of the inter-Korean relations and for the peace of the Korean Peninsula.

“[The President] hopes South and North Korea will peacefully resolve North Korea's nuclear issue while closely cooperating with the international community."

Tensions are high on the Korean peninsula as the rogue country steps up its nuclear missile testing.

The message of peace was followed up by some of Kim’s standard fiery rhetoric.

The despot said: “The entire mainland of the US is within the range of our nuclear weapons and the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office. 

“They should accurately be aware that this is not a threat but a reality. 

"No matter how much America wants to attack us with their military might and nuclear power, they know that now we possess such great nuclear power and therefore they will not dare.”

A South Korean spy agency warned North Korea may view its attendance at the Games as “help” for the south. 

The report, by the National Security Strategy (INSS) under Seoul's spy agency, said: "In exchange for that, it cannot be ruled out that it would demand Seoul lift economic sanctions against it and resume economic cooperative projects and humanitarian aid.”

The INNS also said Pyongyang could demand Seoul suspends military drills with the US. 

The report added: “The North is likely to give weight to participation (in the Winter Olympics), but it is expected to make a final decision in tandem with the South's attitude. 

"Pyongyang could call for such conditions when it opens talks with Seoul over the Olympics, a move aimed at taking an upper hand in inter-Korean ties.”