North Korea declares South as an enemy; tensions hit a new high

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has been raising concerns among global observers for several months. At the start of this week, North Korea destroyed roads and railways connecting the two countries. Although these connections were not in use, they were seen as symbols of potential reconciliation. The escalation in rhetoric happened quickly. On October 17, North Korea declared that its constitution clearly designates South Korea as a "hostile state."

"I believe we are witnessing a political manifesto. We saw an explosion, but no one died, and let me remind you that there have been much worse situations in relations between the two countries," explains a security analyst in East Asia. "For instance, the sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010 resulted in the death of sailors. A propaganda message is being crafted about readiness for war and mobilization in society. While this cannot be overlooked, considering the history of escalations and tensions, we shouldn't draw overly far-reaching conclusions."

"By choosing to destroy infrastructure connections, Kim Jong Un is signaling, 'I said this would happen.' He wants nothing to do with the neighboring country, treating it as his greatest enemy. This is reflected in the recent constitutional change that lists South Korea as the main enemy," adds specialist.

The PISM analyst reminds us that as early as December last year, during a party meeting, Kim Jong Un described inter-Korean relations as relations between "two hostile states," declaring that reconciliation or reunification with South Korea is no longer a goal.

Later, the leader called for a review of the constitution to define South Korea as the "main enemy." He directed officials to take steps to sever cooperation and cut infrastructure connections.

"Periods of tension between the two states alternate with moments of calm. It's a constant element of their relations. We are now at a stage of escalating tensions. Remember that as recently as 2018, the leaders of both Korean states met three times," emphasizes analyst. "However, the current president of South Korea is also adding fuel to the fire," doctor explains.

"On August 15, he presented his reunification doctrine, proposing that the future 'United Republic of Korea' would essentially absorb its northern neighbor. Implicitly, this was a call for regime change in Pyongyang, which could not have pleased Kim," the analyst continues.

The expert also addresses the issue of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which is strengthening. "North Korea is clearly aligning itself with Russia. In propagandistic messages, Kim emphasizes that a new cold war is underway, with North Korea aligning itself with countries opposed to the West, led by the United States. This anti-West coalition wants to show that weakening American influence in various global regions is in their common interest. For North Korea, being among countries like Russia and China, both permanent members of the Security Council, is prestigious," the analyst continues.

The situation between the Koreas remains dynamic, and the coming weeks may prove crucial for the region's future, according to analysts from the American Institute for War Studies and commentators from the South Korean news agency Yonhap News.

Tensions between the two Koreas have been escalating since August 2024. One of the main catalysts is the intensification of North Korean missile tests. In recent months, North Korea has conducted a series of ballistic missile tests, prompting sharp responses from Seoul and the international community.

These tests violate international UN resolutions, leading to diplomatic tensions and increasing the threat of conflict escalation. Pyongyang justifies its actions as necessary for national defense, while South Korea, along with the USA, has increased joint military exercises, further exacerbating the situation.

In response to Pyongyang's aggressive policy, South Korea, along with American forces, conducted the largest military maneuvers in years in August 2024, under the codename "Ulchi Freedom Shield." These exercises aimed to demonstrate defensive readiness in the event of an armed conflict with North Korea.

According to South Korean media, these maneuvers were met with sharp reactions from the regime, which accused Seoul of provoking and destabilizing the region. Kim Jong Un threatened retaliation and warned of "catastrophic consequences." Reports indicate that northern authorities have mobilized their armed forces, and military controls at the border have been reinforced, heightening the risk of incidents.