In a stark escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "completely destroy" South Korea if provoked. The fiery rhetoric came during a high-profile military address, where Kim accused Seoul of pushing the region to the brink of war.
A Dire Warning from Pyongyang
Kim Jong Un's latest threats mark a significant hardening of North Korea's stance toward its southern neighbour. State media reported that the leader described South Korea as the "most hostile state", abandoning previous language that suggested potential reconciliation.
What Prompted the Threat?
The escalation follows months of heightened military posturing from both sides:
- North Korea has conducted multiple missile tests in recent weeks
- South Korea and the US have expanded joint military exercises
- Seoul suspended parts of a 2018 tension-reduction pact after Pyongyang launched a spy satellite
International Concern Grows
The international community has expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation. Analysts warn that Kim's increasingly aggressive rhetoric could signal preparations for more provocative actions in the coming months.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called for calm but vowed to maintain a strong defensive posture. "We will not be intimidated by threats," he stated during a cabinet meeting.
