Kim Jong Un Orders Military to 'Annihilate' SKorea, US If Provoked

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Facts

  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his military to 'thoroughly annihilate' South Korea and the US if either country 'opts for military confrontation' against Pyongyang, state media reported Monday.1
  • At a meeting with his commanding officers on Sunday, Kim reportedly said the DPRK army should mobilize 'all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation' and 'deal a deadly blow' to any threatening actions to the regime.2
  • Kim said the country needed to sharpen its 'treasured sword' — allegedly referencing Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program — as a matter of national security.3
  • Arguing that North Korea must develop an 'overwhelming war response capability,' Kim announced plans to launch three more spy satellites, enhance electronic warfare capacities, build autonomous drones, and expand the country's nuclear arsenal and missile forces in 2024.4
  • Previously, Kim had instructed the country's army, munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors to hasten preparations for war with South Korea and the US. He said they had declared North Korea as 'the main enemy' and were seeking a regime collapse and 'unification by absorption.'5
  • Kim's comments came two weeks after the US warned Pyongyang that a nuclear attack on South Korea would evoke 'a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response' from Washington and would mark the end of Kim's regime.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Associated Press, 3South China Morning Post, 4DAWN, 5CNN and 6WION.

Narratives

  • Pro-North Korea narrative, as provided by France 24. Kim Jong Un will never give up the nuclear weapons program as it's essential for the DPRK's survival. The North Korean leader is simply boosting national defenses to prepare for a war that can break out any time on the peninsula — thanks to Washington, which has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea and is conducting joint drills as 'intentional nuclear war provocative moves.'
  • Anti-North Korea Narrative, as provided by Bloomberg. North Korea's nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to South Korea and the US. Since 2022, Pyongyang has conducted over 100 missile tests, launched a reconnaissance satellite, and test-fired the most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile in its arsenal — prompting Seoul and Washington to expand their joint military drills. It isn't the US but North Korea that's being reckless and provocative.

Predictions