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

▲ 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)

(LEAD) NK leader-S Korea

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

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info from para 4)

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.

The KCNA reported that North Korea had discussed a revision of its constitution, but it was not known whether such a revision officially recognized South Korea as a "hostile state."

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.

Kim accused the United States of carrying out terrorism and invasions in many parts of the world, apparently referring to its ongoing war with Iran, though he did not directly mention U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Dignity, interest and the final victory of a country can only be guaranteed by the most powerful might," the KCNA quoted Kim as saying. "Whether the enemies choose confrontation or peaceful coexistence, that's their choice, and we are ready to respond to any choice."

He vowed to further advance North Korea's "defensive nuclear deterrence" and maintain a "prompt and precise" response posture for its nuclear forces to address "strategic threats" to national and regional security.

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