Kim Jong Un vows to strengthen nuclear forces, calls South Korea ‘most hostile state’

The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that his country would permanently strengthen its nuclear forces and treat South Korea as its most hostile state, during his speech to the Parliament on Tuesday.

North Korea’s legislature re-elected Kim Jong as head of the authoritarian nation’s highest policy-making and governing body, state media reported on Monday.

Nuclear-armed state

Kim said “Pyongyang's status as a nuclear‑armed state was irreversible and expanding a self‑defensive nuclear deterrent was essential to national security, regional stability and economic development.”

He dismissed the notion of trading nuclear disarmament for economic incentives or security guarantees, arguing that North Korea has already shown it can sustain its nuclear arsenal while continuing national development.

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Kim said during his address on Monday that nuclear weapons have impacted wars and allowed the states to focus more on their economic growth, construction, and standard of living.

Warned South Korea and labeled it as 'most hostile state'

Kim labeled South Korea as “the most hostile state” warning Seoul that any attempt to infringe on North Korea's sovereignty would be met "mercilessly without hesitation or restraint".

Analysts have been watching for any sign that this shift had been codified in law. The state media report did not elaborate.

Alongside his security agenda, Kim set out key economic goals, urging officials to push ahead with a new five-year plan aimed at modernising industry, ramping up power and coal production, increasing food supplies, and accelerating housing development across the country.

North Korea remains the poorest nations

North Korea remains among the world’s poorest nations, burdened by heavy sanctions and persistent shortages that leave much of its population reliant on state rations and informal markets, according to international assessments.

The parliamentary session adopted amendments to the constitution, and passed legislation endorsing the new five‑year economic plan, state media KCNA said.

Budget to spend 15.8% to strengthen nuclear capabilities 

Lawmakers also cleared a 2026 state budget that lifts defence spending to 15.8 per cent of total outlays, with dedicated funds for strengthening nuclear deterrence and enhancing combat capabilities, according to a budget report presented at the session.

The assembly heard a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who praised Kim’s leadership and pledged to deepen a comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.