North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to irreversibly solidify his country's status as a nuclear power while maintaining a confrontational stance toward South Korea, which he labeled the "most hostile" state, according to state media reports. In a speech delivered to Pyongyang's rubber-stamp parliament, Kim emphasized pride in the rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities, framing this development as a "right" choice to counter perceived threats from "hegemonic pursuits" by "gangsterlike" imperialists, a term often used to describe the United States and its allies. The Supreme People's Assembly, which concluded its two-day session, passed a revised constitution, though specific changes were not detailed. Analysts speculated that the revisions might codify South Korea as a permanent adversary and eliminate references to shared nationhood, aligning with Kim's hard-line position since his 2024 declaration that North Korea would abandon its long-term goal of peaceful unification with the South. Kim's rhetoric toward Seoul reflects his view that the country, which facilitated his 2018 and 2019 meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his ambitions for a more assertive regional role. Kim's speech also highlighted his rejection of U.S. global "state terrorism and aggression," referencing the Middle East conflict, while urging North Korea to adopt a more forceful stance in a united front against Washington amid rising anti-American sentiment. However, he avoided directly naming Trump, stating that adversaries could choose between confrontation or peaceful coexistence, with North Korea prepared to respond to any decision. The leader's focus on nuclear capabilities underscores his strategy to secure U.S.#united_states #south_korea #north_korea #kim_jong_un #supreme_people_assembly
