North Korean leader Kim Jong-un officially designated South Korea the 'most hostile state' during a speech at the first session of the newly elected 15th Supreme People's Assembly, warning of 'merciless' consequences if provoked by Seoul and reaffirming the permanence of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. The remarks build on similar declarations made a month earlier at the Workers' Party Congress.
The speech, delivered on Monday—the second and final day of the assembly's first session—was reported Tuesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim stated that North Korea 'officially recognized' South Korea 'as the most hostile nation and will thoroughly ignore and disregard it through the clearest remarks and actions.'
Discussions at the assembly included revising the constitution to reflect 'necessary demands of national development,' though it was unclear if changes formally designating South Korea as hostile were adopted. North Korea's previous constitution called for peaceful reunification, but following Kim's 2024 order to define Seoul as 'the No. 1 hostile country,' Pyongyang has ruled out inter-Korean engagement.
This echoes Kim's February declarations at the Ninth Workers' Party Congress, where he rejected dialogue with South Korea as a foe, excluded it from 'the same people,' and outlined nuclear expansion while leaving the door open to the US if it abandons hostility.
Kim accused the United States of 'terrorism and invasions' worldwide—apparently referencing its ongoing conflict with Iran—without naming President Donald Trump. 'Dignity, interest and the final victory of a country can only be guaranteed by the most powerful might,' he said, adding North Korea is prepared for enemies' choice of 'confrontation or peaceful coexistence.'
He vowed to bolster 'defensive nuclear deterrence' with a 'prompt and precise' response to threats, solidify nuclear weapons state status, and crush provocations by hostile forces. North Korea's 2022 nuclear law deems its arsenal 'irreversible' and authorizes preemptive use.
