North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared South Korea his country's "primary foe" and vowed to abandon the long-standing goal of peaceful reunification, according to state media reports from January 2024. He stated that the constitution would be amended to codify South Korea's status as a hostile state.
During a key parliamentary meeting, Kim ordered the military to be prepared to "pacify" South Korea entirely in the event of a conflict. He also announced plans to shut down agencies dedicated to inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, fundamentally shifting the regime's policy stance.
Analysts view this as a significant escalation in rhetoric, effectively discarding decades of stated reunification policy. Kim emphasized that North Korea would continue to strengthen its nuclear arsenal, asserting it as a permanent and non-negotiable part of the state's defense posture. The international community, including the United States, South Korea, and Japan, has condemned the statements and reaffirmed their alliance.
