North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a stark warning of nuclear retaliation against South Korea if provoked, state media reported Friday, marking a significant escalation in rhetoric between the two nations.
During a visit to a special operations unit, Kim declared his military “would use without hesitation all the offensive forces it possesses, including nuclear weapons,” if South Korea attempts to encroach upon North Korean sovereignty, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The threat comes in direct response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent speech, where he warned that any North Korean attempt to use nuclear weapons would result in the collapse of Kim’s regime.
“Kim’s statement represents a dangerous escalation in the ongoing war of words,” said Dr. John Park, a Korea expert at Harvard Kennedy School. “While such rhetoric isn’t new, the current context of increased missile tests and nuclear facility revelations adds weight to these threats.”
Kim’s comments follow North Korea’s recent disclosure of a nuclear facility and continued missile tests. Analysts expect North Korea’s parliament to constitutionally declare a hostile “two-state” system next week, formally rejecting reconciliation with South Korea.
The exchange highlights the deteriorating relations between the two Koreas. All communication channels have been stalled since 2019, and North Korea has adopted an increasingly aggressive nuclear doctrine since 2022.
South Korea, backed by its alliance with the United States, maintains a strong deterrence posture. President Yoon recently unveiled the powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, emphasizing South Korea’s readiness to respond to any nuclear threat.
apnews.com
