North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally designated South Korea as the nation’s “most hostile state” and pledged to permanently strengthen his country’s nuclear arsenal. In a high-profile policy speech delivered on Monday to the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim asserted that Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear-armed power is now irreversible. He emphasised that the expansion of a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” remains a non-negotiable priority, essential for maintaining national security, regional stability, and the country’s long-term economic development.
During the parliamentary session, Kim explicitly rejected any possibility of exchanging nuclear disarmament for economic aid or security guarantees from foreign powers. He argued that North Korea has already demonstrated the strategic success of its “byungjin” policy—simultaneously developing nuclear capabilities and the national economy. According to the leader, the possession of a powerful nuclear deterrent has effectively prevented war on the Korean Peninsula, allowing the state to reallocate vital resources toward construction, infrastructure, and improving the general living standards of its citizens.
The North Korean leader launched a sharp critique against the United States and its regional allies, accusing them of destabilising the area through the deployment of strategic nuclear assets. Kim stated that North Korea no longer perceives itself as a vulnerable nation under threat but instead possesses the sovereign power to threaten its adversaries if provoked. He issued a stern warning to Seoul, declaring that any infringement on North Korean territory or sovereignty would be met with a “merciless” response, delivered without hesitation or restraint by the state’s military forces.
In addition to security matters, the assembly focused on domestic priorities by adopting a new five-year economic development plan aimed at modernising the nation’s industrial sectors. The plan focuses on boosting the production of electricity, coal, and food, alongside a nationwide expansion of housing construction to address chronic shortages. Despite international sanctions that continue to strain the economy, Kim called on government officials to fully implement these qualitative upgrades to ensure the stability of the socialist system and the welfare of the North Korean people.
To support these ambitious military and economic goals, lawmakers approved a state budget for 2026 that significantly increases defence spending to 15.8 per cent of total expenditure. A separate budget report confirmed that these funds are specifically earmarked for expanding nuclear combat forces and enhancing war-fighting capabilities. The session also featured a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who lauded Kim’s leadership and reaffirmed the growing strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang amidst shifting global alliances.
