On Thursday, Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, declared that if the United States withdraws its hostile policy and recognizes North Korea’s status as a nuclear power, there would be no reason not to get along with the U.S.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the conclusion of the 9th Workers’ Party Congress, detailing key points from Kim’s comprehensive report delivered on February 20 and 21.
Kim Continues to Demand U.S. Recognition of North Korea as a Nuclear State, Maintaining an Unwavering Hardline Stance
In his report, Kim argued that the U.S.’s longstanding hostile policy towards North Korea has led to an unpredictable and dangerous situation, characterized by military movements involving allied hostile nations and nuclear elements. He asserted that the primary threat to security on the Korean Peninsula stems from the U.S.
Kim further claimed that North Korea’s nuclear status serves as a powerful safeguard, deterring potential threats from adversaries and maintaining regional stability. He emphasized that North Korea will remain fully prepared for confrontation with the U.S., steadfastly maintaining its strong policy stance.
However, Kim also noted that if the U.S. respects our country’s current status as enshrined in the constitution and withdraws its hostile policy towards North Korea, it has no reason not to maintain good relations with the U.S.
This statement suggests that North Korea may be open to negotiations if the U.S. acknowledges its nuclear status and lifts various sanctions, indicating favorable conditions for dialogue. It reflects a continued insistence on a higher threshold for engagement compared to 2018.
Kim stated that the future of U.S.-North Korea relations depends entirely on the U.S. attitude. Whether it leads to peaceful coexistence or perpetual confrontation, they’re prepared for everything, and the choice is not their to make. He effectively placed the onus on the U.S.
North Calls South’s Conciliatory Policy Deceptive and Crude… Two Hostile States Doctrine Hardens
Kim remarked that historically, and particularly in recent years, including early this year, South Korea has clearly demonstrated that it is not a trustworthy neighbor capable of coexisting with them, through severe actions such as airspace violations against the republic. He cited drone operations under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and recent incidents involving civilian drones infiltrating North Korea as justifications for hostile inter-Korean relations.
Kim criticized the South Korean government’s conciliatory policy towards North Korea, dismissing it as a clumsy deception and a poor performance, indicating his refusal to accept it.
He described concepts like nation and unification as outdated notions and remnants of a bygone era, asserting that North Korea has taken national measures to solidify South Korea as its primary adversary and permanent enemy.
Kim elaborated that it has undertaken legal and administrative measures to physically block all connecting routes and spaces in the southern border region, following the dissolution of organizations and agreements that existed for unrealistic dialogue, negotiations, and exchanges.
He pointed out that North and South Korea have effectively existed as separate nations for the past 80 years and are recognized as such by the United Nations (UN). Kim argued for the realism and rationality of the policy towards two hostile nations.
Kim refuted criticisms of the two-nation policy, stating that some people in South Korea still challenge the rightful sovereign decision regarding the inter-Korean relationship as a state-to-state relationship. This itself demonstrates an unwillingness to abandon futile ambitions of absorbing the other side, while unilaterally denying the current situation of the inter-Korean relationship recognized as two separate nations legally and internationally.
He emphasized that the policy of two hostile nations is not a temporary tactical measure but a historical choice made to protect North Korea’s national interests and security.
Finally, Kim stressed that it must responsibly implement the party’s military strategic policy to fortify the southern border as quickly as possible and enhance the defense and firepower systems. He warned that the only way for South Korea to escape its geopolitical conditions bordering it is to renounce everything related to us and refrain from provoking them.
