North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signaled openness to improving ties with the United States if it drops its hostile policy, during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, but rejected dialogue with South Korea, declaring permanent hostility. This came amid warnings of 'terrible retaliatory attacks' at a military parade marking the congress's close. South Korea expressed regret but vowed to pursue peaceful coexistence.
The Ninth Congress of North Korea's Workers' Party took place in Pyongyang from last Thursday to Wednesday, outlining policies for the next five years in diplomacy, defense, the economy, and other areas. In a policy review session, leader Kim Jong-un stated, 'We have no reason not to get along with the United States if it respects our country's current status, as defined in the North Korean constitution, and drops its hostile policy toward North Korea.' He added, 'The prospects of North Korea-U.S. relations entirely depend on the attitude of the U.S.,' emphasizing preparation for both peaceful coexistence and eternal confrontation.
In contrast, Kim denounced South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's reconciliatory gestures as 'deceptive,' declaring that North Korea would 'have no business dealing with South Korea, the most hostile entity' and permanently exclude it from 'the category of the same people.' This reaffirms his 2024 stance viewing inter-Korean relations as those between foes. At the closing military parade on Wednesday night at Kim Il Sung Square, Kim warned, 'Our army will deliver terrible retaliatory attacks to any forces the moment they commit hostile military acts of infringing upon our national sovereignty and security interests.' The parade featured troops from an overseas operation unit and a mechanized infantry unit, along with aerial performances.
Kim reasserted North Korea's nuclear-armed status, vowing in the new five-year plan to increase nuclear weapons, expand operational capabilities, and develop on-land and underwater-launched ICBMs, AI-equipped drones, surveillance satellites, and weapons targeting enemy satellites and command systems. He placed particular emphasis on nuclearizing naval forces.
South Korea's unification ministry expressed regret over North Korea's hostile policy declaration, stating it was 'very regrettable' that Pyongyang ignored efforts for peaceful coexistence, but affirmed Seoul's commitment to reconciliation without force or hostility. A senior presidential official said, 'Our government will continue efforts to open a future of co-prosperity... The South and the North should refrain from hostile and confrontational rhetoric and build a foundation of mutual respect and trust.' President Lee Jae-myung reaffirmed, 'We should decisively put an end to the past that was racing toward confrontation and war,' stressing sustained dialogue to build trust for lasting peace.
