Kim Jong Un Threatens South Korea with "Total Destruction" and Sets Conditions for the United States
In a new escalation reflecting heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, leader Kim Jong Un issued a strong threat against South Korea, asserting that his country is capable of destroying it "completely" if its security is threatened.
The North Korean leader's statements, reported by state media in North Korea on Thursday, came as the ruling Workers' Party conference concluded, where political and military directions for the next five years were set.
Despite his hardline stance towards Seoul, Kim reiterated his refusal to engage in any dialogue with the South Korean government, deepening the rift between the two neighbors.
However, he left the door slightly ajar for resuming negotiations with the United States, conditioning Washington's abandonment of what he described as "hostile" policies towards Pyongyang as a prerequisite for reviving long-stalled talks.
In the context of enhancing military capabilities, Kim called for accelerating the development of new weapon systems to bolster what he termed the country's "nuclear army."
Plans include developing intercontinental ballistic missiles that can be launched from submarines, as well as expanding the arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons, such as artillery and short-range missiles aimed at South Korea.
He emphasized that the rapid progress in the nuclear and missile programs has "permanently solidified" his country's status as a nuclear-armed state, sending a clear message to his regional and international adversaries that Pyongyang is continuing its military approach without retreat.
This escalation comes at a time when the region is experiencing increasing sensitivity, amid international anticipation for any signs that might reopen negotiation channels or push the crisis toward further complications.
