SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has publicly designated South Korea as a hostile nation, threatening the use of physical force in response to any perceived violations of its sovereignty, according to state media reports. This stark declaration occurred during his visit to the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People’s Army, amid escalated tensions following the destruction of inter-Korean infrastructure earlier this week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un’s aggressive rhetoric was part of a speech delivered on Thursday, where he emphasized the view of South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), as an enemy state. “He stressed that our army should keep in mind once again the stark fact that the ROK is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” reported the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This comes just two days after North Korea demolished roads and railways leading into South Korea, signaling a severe regression in inter-Korean relations.
The North Korean le
ader justified the recent aggressive actions, including the infrastructure demolitions, as a necessary end to the “evil relationship” with Seoul and dismissed the possibility of reunification under current conditions. “Blocking roads and railways not only means the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul and the complete removal of the unreasonable idea of reunification,” Kim stated.
Further, Kim underscored the importance of enhancing the North’s military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, to counter what he perceives as increasing threats from the ROK-U.S. alliance and their military maneuvers. The KCNA report highlighted his directive for the North Korean military to maintain readiness to deploy its physical forces “unhesitatingly” should the South violate Pyongyang’s sovereignty.
Visuals released by the KCNA of Kim’s inspection show him analyzing a map with Seoul prominently marked, suggesting possible military planning against the South Korean capital. These imag
es also show a large TV screen displaying a map of the Korean Peninsula, marked with a thick blue line near the Demilitarized Zone, which separates the two nations.
Kim was accompanied by senior North Korean military officials, including Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and No Kwang-chol, minister of National Defence, indicating the high level of military leadership involved in the discussions.