▲ This image from Korean Central Television shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as it reported on his reelection as president of the State Affairs Commission at the first session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly held on March 22, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

NK leader-S Korea

N. Korea's Kim formally calls S. Korea 'most hostile' nation

By Park Boram

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un formally called South Korea the "most hostile state" and warned of merciless consequences if provoked, the North's state media reported Tuesday.

South Korea "is officially designated as the most hostile nation," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying on the second and final day of the first session of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Kim said South Korea will pay the price for any provocation if Seoul provokes Pyongyang, according to the KCNA.

Kim also said his country's status as a nuclear weapons state will never change, vowing to make efforts to fight "hostile forces" against Pyongyang.

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