Kim Jong Un declares North Korea’s nuclear status ‘irreversible’, warns South of ‘merciless’ retaliation

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his country’s nuclear status is “irreversible” and vowed to permanently strengthen its arsenal, while warning South Korea of a “merciless” response to any provocation, according to state media KCNA.

Addressing the Supreme People’s Assembly on Monday, Kim underscored that Pyongyang would continue expanding its “self-defensive nuclear deterrent,” rejecting any possibility of trading disarmament for economic or security concessions.

“The current world reality, where the dignity and rights of sovereign states are mercilessly violated by unilateral force and violence, clearly teaches what the true guarantee of a state’s existence and peace is,” Kim said, according to state media KCNA.

He asserted that nuclear weapons had not only deterred war but also enabled the country to focus on economic development and improving living standards.

“The firm establishment of the nuclear shield firmly guarantees and drives the development of all sectors of the country, including the economy and culture, as well as the improvement of the people’s lives,” he said.

In a sharp message to Seoul, Kim said South Korea had been “recognised as the most hostile state,” warning that any attempt to violate North Korea’s sovereignty would be met “mercilessly without hesitation or restraint.”

He also criticised the United States and its allies, accusing them of destabilising the region through military deployments, and described global conflicts as evidence of “unilateral coercion and tyranny.”

“The dignity and rights of sovereign states are helplessly trampled upon by unilateral coercion and tyranny,” he said, adding that nuclear capability remains the “true guarantee for national existence and peace,” according to state media KCNA.

While maintaining a hardline stance, Kim signalled conditional openness to dialogue, saying the future of engagement would depend on whether Washington chose “confrontation or coexistence.”

The assembly also approved a 2026 budget allocating 15.8 per cent of total expenditure to defence, with funds earmarked for strengthening nuclear and war-fighting capabilities.