Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, firmly declared South Korea as a fierce enemy, threatening immediate retaliation if provoked. He emphasized continuing nuclear development to strengthen power and subtly criticized Trump for acting as a terrorist and aggressor.
On 24 March 2026, Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, officially declared South Korea a "fierce enemy country," warning of ruthless retaliation if South Korea provokes them.
The North Korean leader's declaration came during his speech on 24 March, the final day of the first session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly. However, the assembly also discussed constitutional amendments to align with the country's development direction, though it has not been disclosed whether South Korea's status as an enemy state was formally included in the constitution.
Kim emphasized that North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state will never change. He announced ongoing efforts to enhance nuclear deterrence capabilities to address security threats. Additionally, Kim accused the U.S. of being terrorists and aggressors in multiple regions worldwide, a statement seen as possibly alluding to the conflict with Iran, although he did not directly mention President Donald Trump.
Previously, North Korea's constitution stated peaceful national reunification as a goal. Since 2024, Kim ordered legal amendments designating South Korea as the primary enemy, leading to a hardline stance in Pyongyang and eliminating prospects for inter-Korean cooperation. Earlier, in 2022, North Korea enacted a law permitting preemptive nuclear strikes and reaffirmed the country's irreversible nuclear state status.
Source: Yonhap