North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced that the dream of unification with South Korea is now impossible, proposing changes to the constitution designating the South as the “principal enemy.”
In a speech at the Supreme People’s Assembly, he called for amendments to educate North Koreans on the irreconcilable enmity with the South.
Kim also revealed plans to shut down three organizations related to reunification.
Kim asserted a new stance on North-South relations, emphasizing that the constitution should reflect the potential scenarios of “occupying,” “recapturing,” and “incorporating” the South in case of a war on the Korean peninsula.
Despite expressing a lack of desire for war, he clarified that North Korea would not shy away from it.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol responded firmly, stating that any provocation from the North would be met with a “multiple times stronger” retaliation, citing the South’s overwhelming military capabilities.
The tension between the Koreas has intensified in recent months, marked by North Korea’s suspension of a military deal with the South in November and subsequent threats.
Analysts view Kim’s departure from the policy of unification as unprecedented, linking it to the disappointment and loss of face following the 2019 summit with former US President Donald Trump.
Heightened tensions include North Korea’s suspension of the military deal, missile launches, live-fire exercises near South Korean territory, and threats of a nuclear attack.
Analysts warn that the risk of escalation should be taken seriously, with some speculating that Kim has made a strategic decision to go to war.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula is considered more dangerous than ever, according to a report from 38 North, a US-based organization focusing on North Korea.
The report suggests that the danger extends beyond routine warnings, and the war preparation themes in North Korean media are not viewed as mere bluster.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is currently in Russia, where ties between the two countries have strengthened.
The meeting between Choe Son Hui and President Vladimir Putin adds a diplomatic dimension to the already complex situation on the Korean Peninsula.
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