Kim Jong Un spoke of North Korea’s policy on relations with the U.S. for the first time in months on Thursday, reportedly saying the country should prepare for dialogue but also improve readiness for conflict.

The brief and ultimately vague remarks came on the third day of the ongoing party plenum, which began on Tuesday and is set to continue into at least Friday. Kim also reportedly made a speech about the need to urgently “stabilize” living conditions for ordinary people and improve childcare in North Korea.