North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ramped up war rhetoric against South Korea, calling it the “primary foe” while outlining plans to improve weapons capabilities and reclaim Seoul in case of a war.
In a speech to the North’s rubber-stamp parliament on Wednesday, Kim stated that unification with the South was no longer possible after Seoul termed Pyongyang its “enemy”. He called for amending the constitution to remove references to Koreans on both sides as “one nation”.
Kim stressed that the North must prepare to “occupy” the South by strengthening war readiness. “We don’t want war but we are not afraid of it”, he asserted while labeling the South’s government “our undoubted enemy”.
The belligerent speech comes days after North Korea fired a record number of missiles last week. Experts see this as an attempt by Kim to boost his leverage amid stalled tensions with the US and South Korea.
The North Korean leader outlined policy goals to develop satellites, missiles, drones, and a spy satellite while the US is distracted with inflation, polarization, and Ukraine.
According to Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University, Kim appeared confident about the North’s weapons progress and wanted to pressure the South to change course. The speech could signal more provocations.
Analysts pointed out Kim’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric reflected his frustration over strained inter-Korean ties since the inauguration of conservative S Korean President Yoon.
With talks suspended, the risk of confrontation on the Korean peninsula remains heightened. The US and its allies have ramped up joint military drills to counter the North’s growing nuclear and missile programs.
