North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his country will not hesitate to annihilate South Korea if attacked, expressing his belief that peace cannot be achieved through appeasement or negotiations. This statement comes at a time of deteriorating relations between the two nations.
Official North Korean news agency quoted Kim as saying, “If the enemy dares to use force against our country, we will make a bold decision that will change history, and we will not hesitate to gather all great powers to eliminate it.”
Kim made these remarks during an event organized by the North Korean Ministry of Defense to commemorate the establishment of the army. He described the decision to classify South Korea as the country’s “primary enemy” as correct, emphasizing that “occupying its territory and overthrowing it in an emergency are for the eternal security of our country,” as reported by the agency.
In a mutual exchange of threats, Pyongyang announced last January that it had changed South Korea’s status in the country’s constitution to that of a separate and hostile state, considering it its “main enemy.” The North closed agencies dedicated to communication and efforts to unify the two countries, threatening to wage war if any inch of its land was encroached upon.
During a speech to parliament at that time, Kim concluded that reunification with the south was no longer possible, accusing Seoul of seeking to dismantle the regime and unity efforts. He expressed his unwillingness for war while simultaneously seeking to avoid it.
South Korean President Yun Sook-yul criticized Pyongyang’s actions, stating they reflect North Korea’s hostile nature towards his country and pledged a strong response to any provocation from the northern neighbor. Yun emphasized that his country’s military has “overwhelming response capabilities” and accused North Korea of trying to divide public opinion.
The North Korean parliament voted to repeal laws related to economic cooperation with the southern part, as announced by official media outlets last Thursday. Relations between the Koreas have deteriorated since leader Kim Jong Un committed to bolstering his country’s nuclear capabilities and resuming advanced intercontinental ballistic missile tests.
