North Korean leader Kim Jong Un addressed the country's Supreme People's Assembly, declaring his intention to "firmly consolidate our status as a nuclear-armed state." He labeled South Korea as the "most hostile" enemy, emphasizing a reliance on military strength over diplomatic engagement for national security.

In his speech, Kim stated, "The dignity of the nation, its national interest and its ultimate victory can only be guaranteed by the strongest of power." He added that Pyongyang would "continue to consolidate our absolutely irreversible status as a nuclear power," as reported by state-run media outlets. The remarks underscore North Korea's commitment to its nuclear program amid ongoing tensions.

During the assembly session, lawmakers approved a 2026 state budget that raises defense spending to 15.8% of total expenditure. Kim Jong Un also rejected long-standing U.S. efforts to trade disarmament for security guarantees, accusing the Washington regime of "global terrorism and aggression" and citing the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran as evidence that force overrides international norms.

South Korean analysts, such as Yang Moo-jin from the University of North Korea Studies, noted that these comments reflect Pyongyang's belief that nuclear weapons are essential for deterring intervention. The speech came a day after Kim's reappointment as head of the State Affairs Commission, the highest policy-making body in the authoritarian nation.

The Supreme People's Assembly concluded a two-day session with the passage of a revised version of the North Korean constitution. While specific changes are not yet clear, experts anticipate revisions that remove references to shared nationhood with South Korea and categorize it as a permanent enemy. South Korea's Blue House criticized the declaration as undesirable for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: www.dw.com