Seoul | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for a stronger nuclear deterrent and reiterated that he will not hesitate to “destroy” South Korea, the country's “main enemy,” state media reported on Wednesday.
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Mr. Kim visited several munitions factories on Monday and Tuesday, accompanied by senior party and military officials.
He said on that occasion that Pyongyang's priority must be “first and foremost strengthening military self-defense capabilities and nuclear deterrence,” according to the official KCNA agency.
In images distributed by state media, the North Korean leader can be seen wearing a long black leather jacket standing in front of launchers for short-range ballistic missiles that analysts say are nuclear capable.
“The historical moment has finally come when we should define (South Korea) as the state most hostile to (North Korea),” Mr. Kim further asserted, calling South Korea “our main enemy.”
North Korea will not “unilaterally” trigger a conflict, the North Korean number one said, according to KCNA, but also has “no intention of avoiding war.”
The statements came following recent live artillery exercises by the North Korean military near the disputed maritime border, which led to evacuation orders and counter-drills.
The two Koreas have technically still been at war since the end of the conflict in 1953, which ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. For more than 70 years, the peninsula has experienced alternating periods of heightened tension and relative relaxation.
Their relationship is currently at its lowest point in decades.
“Ultra-aggressive mode”
The exercises, which began Friday, mark one of the most significant escalations in tensions between the two sides since 2010, when Pyongyang bombed Yeonpyeong island, killing four people.
“If (South Korea) dares to attempt to use its armed forces against (North Korea) or threaten its sovereignty and security, we will not hesitate to destroy (North Korea) by mobilizing all means and…” “armed forces” in our possession, warned Mr. Kim, according to the official source.
The comments mark a shift in North Korean policy and suggest Pyongyang will take a “much tougher stance” toward Seoul in the future, Hong Min of the Korea Institute for Development told AFP.
“This is the first time that the North has referred to the South as the 'main enemy,' which means North Korea's attitude toward Seoul is shifting toward an ultra-aggressive mode,” he said.
Last year, North Korea enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution and fired several intercontinental ballistic missiles in violation of UN resolutions.
The United States, South Korea and Japan accuse Pyongyang of violating international sanctions by sending missiles to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine.
North Korea successfully launched a spy satellite into orbit late last year after receiving help from Russia in exchange for arms transfers, according to Seoul.