Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un declared that North Korea possesses the capability to “completely destroy” South Korea if provoked, during a key congress of the Workers’ Party Central Committee.
In a broadcast of the plenary session, Kim outlined policy priorities for the next five years. He firmly rejected dialogue with Seoul while expressing openness to discussions with the United States. The event concluded with a military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim appeared alongside his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, approximately 13 years old.
Escalated Stance Against South Korea
Kim emphasized his forces’ readiness for “immediately and thoroughly retaliating” against any threats. He dismissed South Korean overtures for engagement as deceptive, accusing Seoul of pursuing North Korea’s collapse. “There is absolutely nothing to discuss with an enemy state,” he stated, vowing to permanently exclude South Korea from any notion of a shared nation.
“As long as the Republic of Korea cannot escape its geopolitical condition of sharing a border with us, the only way it can live safely is to abandon all ties with us and refrain from provoking us,” Kim added, using South Korea’s formal name.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry expressed regret over North Korea’s portrayal of inter-Korean ties as hostile, pledging patient efforts to stabilize peace on the peninsula.
Five-Year Military Goals
Kim directed the development of advanced weapons systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles launchable from underwater platforms, expanded tactical nuclear weapons like artillery and short-range missiles aimed at South Korea, AI-equipped attack drones, enhanced electronic warfare tools, reconnaissance satellites, and anti-satellite weapons.
The military will deploy additional nuclear-capable artillery along the border annually and accelerate production of nuclear warheads. These goals build on prior achievements, such as solid-fuel ICBMs, hypersonic weapons, a military satellite in 2023, and progress on a nuclear-propelled submarine.
Approach to the United States
Prospects for U.S.-North Korea relations “depend entirely on the U.S. attitude,” Kim said. “Whether it’s peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make.” Experts view this as a calculated move to position North Korea assertively in the region, leveraging nuclear capabilities and alliances with Moscow and Beijing, while seeking potential sanctions relief.
Tensions may intensify next month during South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, which North Korea often cites as provocation for its own demonstrations.
