SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared on Monday that his country's nuclear status is irreversible and vowed to permanently strengthen its nuclear forces, while labeling South Korea as its principal enemy in a major policy address to the nation's parliament.
Speaking to the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's rubber-stamp legislature, Kim emphasized that expanding a "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" is essential for national security, regional stability, and even economic development, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state-run media outlet. He rejected any notion of trading nuclear disarmament for economic aid or security assurances, stating that Pyongyang has proven the wisdom of maintaining nuclear capabilities alongside development efforts.
"The current world reality, where the dignity and rights of sovereign states are mercilessly violated by unilateral force and violence, clearly teaches what the true guarantee of a state’s existence and peace is," Kim said in the address, as reported by KCNA. He argued that nuclear weapons have deterred war, allowing the regime to redirect resources toward economic growth, infrastructure, and improving living standards.
Analysts in South Korea interpreted Kim's remarks as an indirect reference to recent U.S. military actions against Iran. "These circumstances have reinforced Pyongyang’s long-standing argument that nuclear weapons are essential to deter external intervention and safeguard regime survival," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.
Kim accused the United States and its allies of destabilizing the Korean peninsula by deploying strategic nuclear assets nearby. However, he asserted that North Korea no longer sees itself as vulnerable but as capable of posing threats to others if provoked. This rhetoric underscores Pyongyang's shift away from viewing South Korea as a potential partner in reunification toward treating it as a foreign adversary.
In particularly stark language, Kim declared South Korea "the most hostile state" and warned that any infringement on North Korean sovereignty would be met "mercilessly without hesitation or restraint." This represents the latest escalation in Pyongyang's hardening posture toward Seoul, following Kim's abandonment of long-standing policies aimed at peaceful reunification.
Experts noted that while the speech did not explicitly codify this policy shift into law, the wording suggests a profound change in bilateral relations. Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University described the language as effectively stripping South Korea of any status as a fellow nation, going beyond previous diplomatic isolation tactics. "It marked a 'declaration denying South Korea's very legitimacy as a counterpart,'" Lim said.
Beyond security matters, Kim outlined ambitious economic goals during the parliamentary session, urging officials to implement a new five-year development plan. The strategy focuses on modernizing industry, increasing electricity and coal production, boosting food output, and expanding housing construction across the country, KCNA reported.
North Korea, one of the world's poorest nations, grapples with a heavily sanctioned economy and persistent shortages that leave much of its population reliant on state rations and black-market trading, according to international assessments from organizations like the United Nations. The parliamentary session approved constitutional amendments and legislation to endorse this economic blueprint, signaling the regime's commitment to self-reliance amid isolation.
The assembly also passed a 2026 state budget that allocates 15.8 percent of total expenditure to defense, with specific funding earmarked for enhancing nuclear deterrence and military capabilities, as detailed in a budget report released during the session. This increase in defense spending highlights the prioritization of security even as economic challenges persist.
The proceedings received an international endorsement from an unexpected quarter: a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin praised Kim's leadership and committed to deepening the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between Moscow and Pyongyang, according to KCNA. This message comes amid growing ties between the two nations, including reports of increased military and economic cooperation in recent years.
The speech and parliamentary actions occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea has conducted multiple missile tests in recent months, prompting international condemnation and joint military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea. Last year, inter-Korean relations deteriorated further when Pyongyang blew up cross-border roads and railways, symbolizing the end of reconciliation efforts.
South Korean officials have responded cautiously to Kim's address, with the presidential office in Seoul emphasizing the need for dialogue while bolstering defenses. Unification Ministry spokesperson Kim In-a stated that the government is closely monitoring developments but remains open to engagement if Pyongyang shows sincerity. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department officials reiterated their commitment to denuclearization through diplomacy, though no immediate response to the speech was issued as of Tuesday.
From a broader perspective, Kim's emphasis on nuclear irreversibility complicates ongoing international efforts to curb North Korea's weapons program. Previous summits between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 and 2019 yielded promises of denuclearization but collapsed without tangible progress. Analysts suggest that the current global geopolitical landscape, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, has emboldened Pyongyang's stance.
Looking ahead, the new five-year plan's success will be closely watched, given North Korea's history of unmet economic targets. The 2021-2025 plan, for instance, aimed at rapid industrialization but faced setbacks from COVID-19 border closures and sanctions. If implemented, the latest initiative could alleviate some hardships, though experts doubt it will fundamentally alter the country's isolation without broader diplomatic breakthroughs.
In the end, Kim's address reinforces North Korea's dual-track approach: unyielding on security while pushing for internal development. As the regime navigates these priorities, the international community will continue to grapple with how to respond to a nuclear-armed state that views itself as increasingly empowered on the world stage.