Kim Jong-un Recognises Seoul As “Most Hostile State,” Pledges Strong Nuclear Deterrence
Kim Jong-un labels South Korea “most hostile” and warns of retaliation while reaffirming nuclear status.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has formally labelled South Korea as the “most hostile state,” warning of merciless consequences if provoked, while reaffirming Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear weapons state, according to North Korea’s state media. The remarks were delivered on Monday during the second and final day of the first session of the newly elected 15th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA).
Kim stated that North Korea will “thoroughly ignore and disregard” South Korea, signalling a hardening of Pyongyang’s stance and ruling out the possibility of inter-Korean engagement. The move comes after Kim ordered a constitutional revision in 2024, reportedly to formally define Seoul as “the No. 1 hostile country,” although the latest reports did not confirm whether the constitutional amendment explicitly used this language.
The North Korean leader also accused the United States of global “terrorism and invasions,” likely referring to ongoing US military actions abroad, while asserting that the security and dignity of a nation can only be guaranteed through military strength. Kim pledged to continue strengthening North Korea’s “defensive nuclear deterrence” and maintain a “prompt and precise” posture for its nuclear forces to counter any strategic threats to national and regional security.
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Experts note that Kim’s declaration may signify a fundamental revision of inter-Korean norms. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies, described the “official recognition” of Seoul as hostile as potentially reflecting a formal change in constitutional or legal frameworks. Kim In-tae, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, suggested that the statement aligns with North Korea’s broader strategy of codifying its position while retaining strategic ambiguity in response to changing security conditions.
At the parliamentary session, the SPA also approved a 5.8 percent increase in the state budget for 2026, the largest rise in recent years. Kim emphasised that the increase will “financially guarantee the normal operation of the country and the implementation of policies for the people by increasing state revenues.”
Seoul’s Unification Ministry noted Kim’s remarks regarding readiness for both confrontation and peaceful coexistence, stating that criticism of the United States appeared limited in intensity. The ministry reiterated South Korea’s commitment to improving inter-Korean ties and affirmed that diplomatic efforts would continue despite North Korea’s hardline posture.
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