**”South Korea, a Thorough Enemy”… Visit to the 2nd Corps Command Two Days After the Explosions on Gyeongui and Donghae Lines**
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Hyun Hye-ran = North Korean leader Kim Jong-un referred to our nation as an enemy and a foreign country, threatening that if South Korea infringes on sovereignty, force will be used without any conditions or hesitation.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 18th that Kim Jong-un visited the 2nd Corps Command of the Korean People’s Army on the 17th and made these comments. He explained that the explosion of the inter-Korean routes on the Gyeongui and Donghae lines two days earlier did not simply signify a physical closure.
Kim Jong-un mentioned that the reason for the complete blocking of the inter-Korean routes was to sever the ties with Seoul that have persisted through the centuries and to completely discard the futile sense of kinship and unrealistic notion of reunification.
He emphasized this was the “final warning” indicating that should our sovereignty be breached by the thorough enemy, South Korea, force will be used unconditionally and unapologetically.
He argued that “as already announced, if our offensive capabilities are used under the premise of something occurring, it would be a legitimate retaliatory action against an enemy nation, not kin.”
He added that only peace, sustained by powerful forces capable of managing and deterring the enemy, is trustworthy, safe, and solid, stressing the need for military strength.
During the visit, Kim was briefed on the enemy’s movements by the corps commander, inspected the readiness of the brigade switched to combat alert status, and reviewed important military action plans, according to the report.
Previously, the General Staff of the North Korean Army claimed that South Korean drones intruded into Pyongyang’s airspace, violating sovereignty, and ordered artillery units near the border and units assigned crucial firepower missions to be in full shooting readiness on the 13th.
Kim Jong-un reiterated the importance and justification of strengthening nuclear deterrence, citing “the mutation of the nature of the ROK-U.S. alliance” and the “military actions of an aggressive nature by the enemies.” The “mutation of the ROK-U.S. alliance” refers to the claim that the military alliance between South Korea and the United States is taking on the nature of a “nuclear alliance.”
In photos released by the news agency, Kim Jong-un is seen pointing at something on a large map spread across a desk. Although blurry, the word “Seoul” is visible on the map, suggesting that the 2nd Corps may have discussed plans to attack Seoul in case of an emergency.
Behind Kim, a large TV screen displayed a map of the Korean Peninsula, with a thick blue line drawn in a location similar to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Kim warmly encouraged and took commemorative photos with the soldiers of the large unified unit defending the state’s territory at the “forefront border lines.”
Accompanying Kim on the visit were Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Park Jeong-cheon and Minister of Defense No Kwang-chol. Chief of the General Staff Ri Yong-gil and commanders of the large unified units greeted them.
Although not mentioned by the news agency, Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo-jong, who continually issues harsh statements against South Korea, was captured in the photos waiting outside the conference room.