North Korea's Kim Jong Un Issues Stark Warning to South Korea
In a recent statement, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a stark warning to South Korea, stating that his country could "initiate arbitrary action" and "completely destroy" the South if its security was threatened. Kim Jong Un also mentioned that the "complete collapse of South Korea cannot be ruled out."
These remarks, reported by state media KCNA, appear to be Mr. Kim's most direct warnings against Seoul. The statement comes as Kim Jong Un revealed plans to expand the country's nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles arsenal, ruling out discussions with South Korea and labeling them as the "most hostile enemy."
He added that the country would focus on expanding its nuclear arsenal, and prospects for bettering relations with the US rested entirely on Washington's attitude. The comments highlight the increasingly different approaches pursued by Seoul and Pyongyang towards each other.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded to Mr. Kim's comments by emphasizing the importance of peace. However, speaking at the country's week-long Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, Mr. Kim vowed to develop stronger intercontinental ballistic missiles. The country also wants to develop attack systems that use artificial intelligence, unmanned drones, and weapons that can hit enemy satellites, according to KCNA.
The Congress concluded with a military parade in the capital on Wednesday, and the presence of Mr. Kim's daughter, known as Ju Ae, will fuel further speculation over whether she is being groomed as his successor. North Korea has assembled around 50 warheads and possesses enough fissile material to produce up to 40 more, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Despite not accepting overtures by US President Donald Trump, who he met with three times during his first term, Kim Jong Un has left the door open for discussions with the US. He stated, "If the US withdraws its policy of confrontation with North Korea by respecting our country's current status... There is no reason why we cannot get along well with the US."
Mr. Trump plans to travel to China from March 31 to April 2, and South Korea's spy agency has speculated that the two leaders could meet around that time.
