Kim Jong-un’s move to drop Korea reunification goal raises fears of return to war

A mere two weeks into the new year and the Korean peninsula has seen major, worrying developments that are raising concerns of a possible resumption of war.

Accusing South Korea of pursuing a “unification by absorption” policy, Kim described inter-Korean relations as “relations between two states hostile to each other and the relations between two belligerent states”.

This week, he said the North Korean constitution should be amended to include “the issue of completely occupying, subjugating and reclaiming the ROK and annex it as a part of the territory of our Republic in case a war breaks out on the Korean peninsula”, while defining the South as the North’s “invariable principal enemy”.

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Second, if North Korea no longer sees the South as its “other half” or “fellow compatriots” but instead as an enemy state, the chances of accidental military clashes or an outbreak of conflict on the peninsula are suddenly much higher.

He also made clear in his 2024 new year address that his country would pursue “peace through strength” and not “a submissive peace that is dependent on the goodwill of the adversary”.

At the moment, however, North Korea seems anything but deterred. Instead, Pyongyang is acting bolder than ever, going beyond its usual aggressive rhetoric and matching its words with actions that could have major destabilising consequences for the peninsula and the wider region. The North has already begun dismantling several organisations in charge of affairs with the South and increased military activity along the border.

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