North Korean Leader Declares Unification with South Impossible

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made a significant shift in North Korea’s official policy on reunification with South Korea, declaring that it is no longer possible. In a speech delivered at the Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s rubber-stamp parliament, Kim stated that the constitution should be amended to designate South Korea as the ‘principal enemy.’ He further ordered the closure of three organizations tasked with reunification, signaling a departure from the longstanding policy of seeking peaceful reunification between the two Koreas.

This announcement by Kim Jong Un, who took over as North Korean leader in 2011, is considered unprecedented and highly unusual. The two Koreas have been divided since the Korean War ended in 1953, with no peace treaty signed, leaving them technically still at war. Despite the fluctuating nature of North Korea’s approach towards the South, the goal of reunification had remained official. However, the growing economic disparity and rising tensions between the two nations have diminished the prospects for reunification in recent years.

Kim insisted that North Korea does not desire war but has no intention of avoiding it. He emphasized the need for a new perspective on north-south relations, which involves dismantling organizations dedicated to reunification. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol responded, stating that if North Korea provokes, the South will retaliate multiple times stronger, highlighting its overwhelming military capabilities.

Analysts and experts view Kim Jong Un’s remarks as a significant shift in North Korea’s policy on reunification, signaling a more hostile stance towards the South. The recent escalation of rhetoric and provocative actions by North Korea has raised concerns about the risk of a potential conflict. North Korea has conducted missile tests and live-fire exercises in recent weeks, further heightening tensions in the region.

Additionally, the report from the US-based organization, 38 North, warns that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is more dangerous than ever since the start of the Korean War. The report suggests that Kim Jong Un may have made a strategic decision to go to war, and therefore, the risk of escalation must be taken seriously.

The meeting between North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Russian President Vladimir Putin holds significance in this context. Both countries have been strengthening their ties, finding common ground as they are isolated by Western powers.