Kim Jong-un Officially Declares Nuclear Power Status... Deepening Self-Reliance and Direct Breakthrough (Comprehensive)

Reaffirmation of Position to Enhance Nuclear Forces, Not Denuclearization
Unacceptable Conditions Presented to South... Darkness in Inter-Korean and North Korea-US Relations

North Korean Workers' Party Chairman Kim Jong-un delivered a work summary report on the third day of the 8th Party Congress on the 7th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 8th.

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, officially declared the country's status as a nuclear power and announced a self-reliance policy that is not bound by relations with South Korea or the United States. While mentioning that a 'spring day' might come again for the South, he presented unacceptable demands, showing little expectation for inter-Korean relations. He also warned the U.S. by mentioning 'preemptive nuclear strike and retaliatory strike capabilities,' signaling a prolonged stalemate in North Korea-U.S. talks.

◆Demand to Halt ROK-U.S. Military Exercises and Military Equipment Imports...Presenting Cards Difficult for South Korea to Accept

According to North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency, on the 9th, Chairman Kim presented principles of 'complete cessation of hostile acts' and 'faithful implementation of inter-Korean declarations' to the South during the Central Committee's work summary report held from the 5th to the 7th.

Kim demanded ▲the suspension of ROK-U.S. military exercises ▲the halt of advanced military equipment imports ▲no provocations regarding future North Korean military provocations ▲and that President Moon Jae-in personally provide a convincing explanation for the development and import of advanced military weapons.

Professor Lim Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Gyeongnam National University evaluated, "By presenting conditions that are difficult for our side to accept, he revealed a stance of having little expectation for inter-Korean relations."

Minister of Unification Lee In-young's emphasis on quarantine cooperation, humanitarian aid, and individual tourism was effectively rejected as 'non-essential issues.' The policy of independently developing Mount Kumgang was reaffirmed.

Jung Sung-jang, a research fellow at the Wilson Center and senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, diagnosed, "It has become difficult to expect the South Korean government to improve relations with North Korea through quarantine cooperation or individual tourism."

◆"We Are a Nuclear Power" Reaffirming Nuclear Capability Enhancement...Dark Outlook for North Korea-U.S. Relations

A tougher stance was taken toward the United States. Chairman Kim defined the U.S. as the "greatest enemy" and "war monster," demanding the preemptive abolition of hostile policies against North Korea.

Kim emphasized, "Regardless of who governs in the U.S., the essence of the U.S. as an entity and its policy toward Korea never changes," and added, "Our foreign political activities must focus on suppressing and subjugating the U.S., the greatest enemy and the fundamental obstacle to our revolutionary development."

He further stated, "(We are) a responsible nuclear power," reiterating, "Regardless of who governs in the U.S., the essence of the U.S. as an entity and its policy toward Korea never changes," emphasizing the focus on overcoming the U.S. as the main obstacle to revolution.

Shin Beom-chul, director of the Center for Foreign Policy and Security at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, said, "North Korea clearly declared that it will not make concessions first regardless of which U.S. administration comes into power," forecasting, "North Korea-U.S. relations are likely to remain tense for the time being."

Professor Park Won-gon of Handong Global University interpreted, "Through the 8th Party Congress, North Korea clearly expressed its intention not only to possess nuclear weapons but to continuously develop highly advanced nuclear capabilities," adding, "This means that if the U.S. practically recognizes North Korea as a 'nuclear power' and withdraws hostile policies, North Korea will pursue nuclear arms reduction talks rather than denuclearization."

◆Economic Self-Reliance Policy and Intensified Social Control

In this way, Chairman Kim emphasized focusing on economic development based on self-reliance rather than development through South Korea or the United States. He firmly stated, "The basic seed and theme of the new five-year national economic development plan remain self-reliance and self-sufficiency," ordering "planned and stable economic construction regardless of changes in the external environment."

Regarding livelihood issues, he stressed, "The state will recover its leading role and control over commercial service activities." This is interpreted as an intention to eliminate market economy elements that have permeated North Korea's economy and society and to strengthen state economic control. Socially, he focused on restoring discipline disrupted by COVID-19 and economic difficulties and tightening internal control.

He continued, "The foremost target of struggle that our Party must be most vigilant about is eradicating nepotism, bureaucratic corruption, and misconduct," urging to "sweep away anti-socialist and anti-social phenomena," emphasizing the mission and responsibility of judicial prosecution, social security, and security agencies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.