In a recent address during a military inspection, Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), referred to South Korea as “a foreign country and an apparent hostile country.” He emphasized the need to ramp up the DPRK’s war-fighting capabilities amidst escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim made these remarks on Thursday while visiting the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People’s Army. He encouraged officers and troops who are “reliably defending the territory of our state” and maintaining “full combat readiness on high alert at the forefront near the border.”
Kim was briefed on the combat readiness of military units under the corps and learned about their preparedness for operations. He highlighted the “stark fact” that the Republic of Korea (ROK) is “a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” reinforcing the DPRK’s stance on inter-Korean relations.
Referring to the recent demolition of roads and railways connecting the DPRK to South Korea, Kim stated that this action signifies “not only the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul.” He stressed the “complete removal of the useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification.”
Kim warned that “when the DPRK sovereignty is violated by the ROK, a hostile country, its physical forces will be used unhesitatingly, without sticking to any conditions any longer,” as quoted by KCNA. He urged the military to “continue concentrating all efforts on bolstering up the war-fighting capabilities” and to maintain “permanent overwhelming combat readiness” to defend the nation’s security.
The DPRK confirmed on Thursday that it had completely blocked the roads and railways connecting South Korea in the eastern and western parts of the DPRK’s southern border through explosive operations, further escalating tensions on the peninsula.
These developments mark a significant deterioration in inter-Korean relations, raising concerns among regional stakeholders about the potential implications for stability and security in Northeast Asia.
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DPRK top leader calls S. Korea 'foreign and apparent hostile country'
cgtn.com
