North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a threat to use nuclear weapons to permanently destroy South Korea if provoked, according to state media reports. The warning came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol cautioned that Kim’s regime would collapse if he attempted to deploy nuclear arms.
Tensions between the two Koreas have escalated in recent times, particularly following North Korea’s revelation of a nuclear facility and its continued missile tests. It is anticipated that North Korea’s parliament will soon declare a hostile “two-state” system on the Korean Peninsula, rejecting reconciliation with South Korea and establishing new national borders.
Kim made the threatening statement during a visit to a special operation forces unit, emphasising that his military would not hesitate to use all available offensive forces, including nuclear weapons, if South Korea encroaches on North Korea’s sovereignty. He specifically mentioned that the existence of Seoul and South Korea would become impossible in such a scenario.
The North Korean leader’s comments were in response to President Yoon’s address on Armed Forces Day, where he unveiled South Korea’s powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile and other weaponry that could target North Korea. Yoon had warned of a decisive and overwhelming response from the South Korean-U.S. alliance if North Korea attempted to use nuclear weapons.
Kim criticised Yoon for his remarks, labelling him as “an abnormal man” and accusing him of displaying bellicose behaviour. Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, also mocked South Korea’s military capabilities, asserting that conventional weapons would be futile against North Korea’s nuclear forces.
While Kim has previously threatened preemptive use of nuclear weapons since 2022, experts suggest that the likelihood of him initiating such an attack remains low due to the superior military strength of the U.S. and its allies. South Korea, in the absence of nuclear weapons, signed a defense guideline with the U.S. to enhance their capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear program.
The ongoing animosities and military provocations have strained relations between the Koreas, with communication channels and exchange programs remaining halted since 2019. North Korea’s recent actions, including repeated missile tests and provocative language, have further heightened tensions in the region.
South Korea reported that North Korea had resumed sending balloons likely carrying trash across the border into South Korea, prompting the resumption of anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts. The situation in the Korean Peninsula continues to be volatile, with both sides engaging in a cycle of escalating actions and responses.
It remains crucial for diplomatic efforts to diffuse the tensions and avoid any potential conflict that could have devastating consequences for the region.