Kim Jong-Un Reaffirms Hostile Policy Toward South Korea at Supreme People’s Assembly

Why It Matters

Kim’s renewed hostile rhetoric and leadership reshuffle heighten peninsula tensions while positioning North Korea to extract diplomatic leverage from the United States, impacting regional security and future negotiations.

Key Takeaways

• Kim Jong-un reasserts hostile stance toward South Korea, no negotiation
• North Korea conducts drills simulating breakthrough of South Korean defenses
• Leadership reshuffle replaces veteran Cheryong with younger loyalists, signaling generational shift
• Kim Yo‑jong elevated to State Affairs Commission, hinting at succession considerations
• Pyongyang pledges tighter ties with China and Russia while warning U.S. aggression

Summary

At the March 22 Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated a hostile policy toward South Korea and declared that the regime’s nuclear‑armed status remains non‑negotiable. The session coincided with a series of military provocations, including drills that simulated breaching South Korean defensive lines during the U.S. Freedom Shield exercise, underscoring Pyongyang’s readiness to confront perceived threats. The rhetoric, while directed at Seoul, was widely interpreted as a warning to Washington. Analysts noted Kim’s use of “merciless response” language and his criticism of U.S. decapitation strikes in the Middle East as signals aimed at the United States. Internally, the Assembly approved a leadership overhaul: veteran official Cheryong stepped down, making way for younger, loyal cadres, and Kim’s sister, Kim Yo‑jong, was promoted to the State Affairs Commission, fueling speculation about succession plans. Notable moments included Kim’s explicit renunciation of peaceful reunification, his claim that any South Korean provocation would be met with overwhelming force, and his pledge to deepen ties with traditional allies China and Russia. The promotion of Kim Yo‑jong, a long‑time propaganda chief, suggests a consolidation of power within the Kim family and a potential shift in decision‑making dynamics. The developments raise the risk of heightened instability on the Korean Peninsula, complicate U.S.–South Korea joint exercises, and signal that Pyongyang may leverage its hardened stance to extract diplomatic concessions from Washington while maintaining a veneer of openness to dialogue. The generational leadership shift could also lead to more unpredictable policy moves, affecting regional security calculations.

Original Description

북한, 최고인민회의 김정은 핵보유국 지위 재강조… 대남 강경 기조 유지

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

North Korea is once again sending a series of strong political and military signals.

At the Supreme People’s Assembly on March 22nd, Kim Jong-un reaffirmed a hostile policy toward South Korea and again insisted that North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state is not open for negotiation.

At the same time, Pyongyang carried out military activities during the South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield exercise, including drills simulating a breakthrough in South Korea’s defensive lines.

The meeting also brought changes inside the leadership, raising questions about the regime’s internal dynamics and future strategy.

So what message is Kim Jong-un sending to Seoul and Washington, and what could it mean for security on the Korean Peninsula?

For more on this, we are joined in the studio by Go Myung-hyun, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome.

Also joining us is Edward Howell, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Oxford. Good to see you Dr. Howell.

(GO) 1. At the Supreme People’s Assembly held on the 22nd, Kim Jong-un reaffirmed a hostile policy toward South Korea. How do you see that?

(HOWELL) 2. However, it was not disclosed whether the concept of “two hostile states” was formally written into the constitution. Some analysts say this could be an attempt to maximize strategic ambiguity. Dr. Howell, how do you see this?

(GO) 3. Turning to the U.S., Kim criticized what he called U.S. aggression but did not mention President Donald Trump directly.

Still, he again said North Korea’s nuclear status is not up for negotiation. What message was he sending?

(HOWELL) 4. Alongside those remarks, North Korea also carried out a series of provocations during the South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield exercise, including drills simulating a breakthrough of South Korea’s defensive lines. Kim even spoke of “completing preparations for war.” What do these moves suggest?

(GO) 5. Now, looking at internal politics, Kim was reappointed chairman of the State Affairs Commission, while a key figure, Choe Ryong Hae, stepped down, signaling a generational shift. What impact could this have?

(HOWELL) 6. And within that reshuffle, one figure drawing attention is Kim Yo Jong. She was promoted at the Party Congress in February but was not included in the new lineup of the State Affairs Commission. How should we interpret that, and what role might she play going forward?

(GO) 7. Turning to diplomacy, Kim said North Korea will strengthen ties with traditional partners and pursue new diplomatic tactics. What direction do you see in its relations with China and Russia?

(HOWELL) 8. In that context, North Korea has resumed passenger train services with China for the first time in six years, expanding exchanges in border areas. What does this signal about its border policy and economic strategy?

(HOWELL) 9. Now turning to the military picture, the U.S. intelligence community says North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile programs and is gaining combat experience through support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

How advanced do you assess North Korea’s military capabilities today?

We'll have to leave our discussion right here, many thanks to Dr.Go and Dr.Howell, we appreciate it.

#SouthKorea #NorthKorea #KimJongun #Military #Hostile_state #Message #GoMyunghyun #EdwardHowell #대한민국 #북한 #김정은 #군사활동 #적대국 #메시지 #Arirang #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

📣 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/arirangtvnews

📣 Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@ArirangCoKrArirangNEWS

📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/

2026-03-25, 20:30 (KST)