North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said that he has the legal right to annihilate South Korea. The remarks came at the anniversary of the founding of North Korea’s military on February 8, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
“If enemies try to use force against our country, we will make the bold decision to change history and not hesitate to use all our superpower to wipe them out,” KCNA quoted him as saying.
Reiterating his stance, Kim said that he would never hold dialogue or negotiations with South Korea, describing Seoul as “enemy No.1,” and that the only way there can be lasting peace in the region is when the powerful military in the North is ready for any eventuality.
Kim said that he took the initiative to “shake off the unrealistic pretence of dialogue and cooperation with the [South] Korean puppets who sought the collapse of our republic.”
North Korea’s parliament on February 7 abolished laws for economic cooperation with South Korea. In 2023 at a major meeting of the ruling party, Kim had declared that peaceful reunification with the South was impossible and that his government was considering a major shift when it came to the South.
The South Korean government led by Yoon Suk Yeol believes that North Korea will be trying to raise its profile ahead of elections which are due in April this year.
Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, which backs military cooperation with the US and a tough stance towards the North, is trying to win against the opposition Democratic Party.
In a show of power over the past few months, Kim has upped his ante with moves aimed at flaunting its military might including doing more missile tests, tearing down a monument in Pyongyang that symbolised the hopes of unification among others.
Experts believe that Kim is trying to push Seoul out of the way and force direct negotiations with Washington.
