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Kim Jong Un Says North Korea’s Nuclear Status Is Irreversible, Threatens South
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 23, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 23, 2026
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his country’s nuclear‑armed status irreversible, vowed to expand its deterrent, and labeled South Korea its ‘most hostile state.’ He also unveiled a five‑year economic plan and raised defence spending to support nuclear and conventional forces.
Kim Jong Un: North Korea’s Nuclear Status is Permanent, Threatens South Korea
By Kyu-seok Shim
North Korea’s Nuclear Policy and Economic Priorities
Kim Jong Un’s Speech to Parliament
SEOUL, March 24 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would permanently strengthen its nuclear forces and treat South Korea as its most hostile state, as he set out policy priorities in a speech to parliament, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.
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.
Rejection of Nuclear Disarmament
He rejected the idea that nuclear disarmament could be exchanged for economic benefits or security guarantees, saying North Korea had already proven that maintaining nuclear forces while pursuing development was the correct strategic choice.
Impact of Nuclear Weapons on Economy
Nuclear weapons had deterred war and allowed the state to focus resources on economic growth, construction and living standards, he said in the address on Monday to the Supreme People's Assembly, the communist-run country's rubber-stamp legislature.
Regional Tensions and Relations with South Korea
Accusations Against the United States and Allies
Kim accused the United States and its allies of destabilising the region by deploying strategic nuclear assets near the Korean peninsula, but said North Korea no longer viewed itself as a country under threat and possessed the power to threaten others if necessary.
Designation of South Korea as Hostile State
Kim said South Korea had been "recognised as the most hostile state" and warned Seoul that any attempt to infringe on North Korea's sovereignty would be met "mercilessly without hesitation or restraint".
Shift in Policy Toward South Korea
The comments are the latest sign of Pyongyang’s hardening stance toward Seoul since Kim dropped decades of policy seeking peaceful reunification and moved to redefine relations with the South as those between two hostile states.
Analysts have been watching for any sign that this shift had been codified in law. The state media report did not elaborate.
North Korea’s Five-Year Economic Plan
Development Priorities
FIVE-YEAR PLAN
Alongside security policy, Kim outlined economic priorities, calling on officials to fully implement a new five-year development plan focused on modernising industry, boosting electricity and coal production, increasing food output and expanding housing construction nationwide.
Economic Challenges
North Korea is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a heavily sanctioned economy and chronic shortages that have left much of its population dependent on state rations and informal markets, according to international assessments.
Legislative Actions and Budget
The parliamentary session adopted amendments to the constitution, and passed legislation endorsing the new five‑year economic plan, KCNA said.
Lawmakers also approved a 2026 state budget that raises defence spending to 15.8% of total expenditure, with funding explicitly allocated to expanding nuclear deterrence and war-fighting capabilities, according to a separate budget report released at the session.
International Relations
Russian Support
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.
(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Key Takeaways
- •Kim Jong Un affirmed that North Korea’s nuclear‑armed status is permanent, rejecting disarmament in exchange for economic or security incentives and citing it as essential for national development and peace. (washingtonpost.com)
- •He designated South Korea as the most hostile state and warned that any infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met with merciless retaliation. (forbes.com)
- •Kim announced a new five‑year economic development plan focusing on industrial modernisation, energy production, food output, and housing, and approved a 2026 budget allocating 15.8 % of total spending to defence, explicitly funding nuclear deterrence and war‑fighting capabilities. (janes.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Kim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens South
1What did Kim Jong Un say about North Korea's nuclear status?
Kim Jong Un stated that North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible and that expanding its nuclear deterrent is crucial for national security.
2How did Kim Jong Un describe relations with South Korea?
Kim called South Korea the most hostile state and warned that any infringement on North Korea's sovereignty would be met with a merciless response.
3What economic priorities did Kim Jong Un outline in his speech?
Kim urged officials to implement a five-year development plan focused on modernising industry, boosting electricity and coal production, increasing food output, and expanding housing.
4What changes were made during the Supreme People's Assembly session?
The assembly adopted constitutional amendments, enacted the five-year economic plan into law, and approved a 2026 state budget with increased defense spending for nuclear deterrence.
5Did any foreign leaders react to Kim Jong Un's speech?
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message praising Kim's leadership and promising to deepen the strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea.
