Kim Jong Un on South Korea
TL;DR
Kim Jong Un views South Korea as a permanent enemy with whom there is nothing to discuss, demanding it abandon provocation.
Key Points
He declared in 2024 that he would no longer pursue reconciliation, labeling South Korea a permanent enemy.
He stated there is “absolutely nothing to discuss” with the South due to its classification as a hostile state.
His government is increasing the annual deployment of nuclear-capable artillery systems specifically targeting South Korea.
Summary
Kim Jong Un has adopted an unyieldingly hostile stance toward South Korea, officially declaring it a permanent enemy and explicitly rejecting any notion of reconciliation or shared nationhood. This view was solidified in 2024 when he discarded the long-standing goal of peaceful reunification, replacing it with a hard-line confrontation policy aimed at bolstering North Korea's independent regional standing. He maintains there is “absolutely nothing to discuss” with Seoul, which he accuses of seeking Pyongyang's collapse, and insists the South's only path to safety is to abandon all ties and refrain from provocation.
This adversarial posture has evolved significantly, particularly since 2020, contrasting sharply with earlier periods of inter-Korean engagement that included summits with the previous South Korean president. The current policy is underscored by military escalations, such as deploying nuclear-capable artillery systems against the South, and domestic campaigns to block South Korean cultural influence. While he seeks dialogue with the United States under specific conditions, any diplomatic opening with the South is negated by his classification of it as an external adversary, making any near-term substantive engagement unlikely.
Key Quotes
“the days are gone forever when our enemies could blackmail us with nuclear bombs”
Frequently Asked Questions
Kim Jong Un views South Korea as a hostile state and a permanent enemy, asserting that reconciliation is no longer possible. He has demanded that Seoul abandon all provocation and any claim to a shared nation if it wishes to exist safely near the North. This hard-line stance is currently his government's firm policy.
Yes, his position has clearly evolved to be significantly more adversarial over time. Since 2024, he discarded the long-standing goal of peaceful reunification, a major policy shift. This change is evidenced by his explicit declaration of South Korea as an enemy state rather than a partner for engagement.
Kim Jong Un's representatives have denounced joint US-South Korean military exercises, such as Freedom Shield, as “muscle-flexing” that destroys regional stability. These military maneuvers are seen as a direct threat, with warnings that such activities could lead to “unimaginably terrible consequences.” He views these drills as proof of Washington and Seoul's hostility.
Sources4
North Korea denounces 'muscle-flexing' US-South Korean military exercises
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong says joint US-South Korea drills harm regional stability
North Korea warns it could destroy South if security threatened, but leaves door open for US dialogue
North Korea Crisis | Global Conflict Tracker
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.