SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to firmly establishing his country as a nuclear power, while adopting a tough approach towards South Korea, which he described as the “most hostile” nation, state media reported on Tuesday.
In a Monday address to Pyongyang’s ceremonial parliament, Kim accused the United States of global “state terrorism and aggression,” apparently referencing the Middle East conflict, and declared North Korea’s intention to take a stronger stand against Washington amidst increasing anti-American sentiment.
However, Kim did not mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name, stating instead that whether adversaries opt for confrontation or peaceful coexistence is their decision, and North Korea is ready to respond accordingly.
Kim’s remarks were consistent with his earlier statements at the ruling Workers’ Party Congress, where he criticized Seoul but indicated willingness for talks with the Trump administration, urging the U.S. to drop demands for North Korea’s nuclear disarmament as a condition for negotiations.
According to state media, the Supreme People’s Assembly concluded its two-day meeting on Monday, approving a revised constitution, though the changes were not detailed.
There was speculation that the revisions might officially designate South Korea as a permanent adversary and eliminate references to shared nationhood. This aligns with Kim’s recent declaration in 2024, abandoning the long-term goal of peaceful unification with the South.
Analysts suggest Kim’s harsh stance towards South Korea reflects his perception that Seoul, once instrumental in arranging his meetings with Trump in 2018 and 2019, is now more of an obstacle than a mediator in dealings with Washington, hindering his ambitions for greater regional influence.
Kim has also been wary of South Korean cultural influence, implementing measures to curb its impact on North Koreans as he seeks to strengthen his family’s authoritarian control.
During his speech, Kim expressed pride in North Korea’s rapid development of nuclear weapons and missiles, describing it as the correct choice to counter future threats and “hegemonic pursuits” by “gangsterlike” imperialists, a term often used to describe the United States and its allies.
“The dignity of the nation, its national interest, and its ultimate victory can only be guaranteed by the strongest of power,” Kim stated. “The government of our republic will continue to solidify our absolutely irreversible status as a nuclear power and will aggressively resist hostile forces to thwart their provocations and schemes.”
Since the collapse of his second summit with Trump in 2019 over U.S.-led sanctions, Kim has halted significant dialogue with Washington and Seoul.
Recently, Kim has focused on Russia in foreign policy, deploying thousands of troops and substantial military equipment to assist Moscow’s war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for aid and military technology.
Analysts speculate that with the potential de-escalation of the conflict, Kim might adopt a more cautious approach towards Washington to maintain the possibility of future dialogue, aiming for U.S. sanctions relief and recognition as a nuclear state.
Nonetheless, some experts argue that joint U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, including the killing of Tehran’s former supreme leader may have increased Kim’s threshold for re-engaging in talks with Washington.
Separately, North Korean state media announced that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been invited by Kim to visit the country, though the date of the visit was not disclosed.
