North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) convened its first session of the 15th term in Pyongyang on the 22nd, with Kim Jong Un in attendance, and re-elected him as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, as reported by Korean Central Television on the 23rd. [Photo=Yonhap News]

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un defined the status of a nuclear-armed state as "absolute and irrevocable" and reaffirmed a hardline stance against South Korea in his policy speech at the SPA on the 23rd.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 24th, Chairman Kim stated in his policy speech at the first session of the 15th SPA that "we will continue to consolidate our status as a nuclear-armed state and offensively wage a counter-struggle to crush the provocations and schemes of hostile forces against our republic."

Specifically regarding South Korea, he emphasized, "We will recognize it as the most hostile country, thoroughly reject and ignore it," and "We will make it pay an unforgiving price without any consideration or hesitation for any act that provokes our republic." This is interpreted as a reaffirmation of the "two hostile states" approach that has been ongoing since last year.

However, there was no direct mention in the speech regarding a constitutional amendment to formally designate inter-Korean relations as "relations between two hostile states."

A measured tone was detected in the message towards the United States.

While criticizing that "the United States is committing acts of state terrorism and aggression all over the world," Chairman Kim did not directly name or criticize U.S. President Donald Trump. This is interpreted as a statement mindful of the recent situation in the Middle East and issues concerning Iran.

Chairman Kim also asserted, "The dignity and national interests of a country are guaranteed by the strongest power," adding, "Whether our adversaries choose confrontation or peaceful coexistence, we are prepared to respond in any case."

He further reiterated the policy of advancing nuclear armament by stating, "We will further expand and evolve our self-defensive nuclear deterrence and maintain a rapid and accurate response posture."

A shift in diplomatic strategy was also hinted at.

He commented, "We must break free from old standards and practices and employ diplomatic tactics and methods of external activities that match our new national standing," signaling a more offensive foreign strategy.

This speech is assessed as a "selective message management" that simultaneously reaffirms the foreign strategy based on nuclear-armed state status and the hostile policy towards South Korea, while avoiding direct conflict in relations with the U.S.

In particular, it is analyzed that by placing the strengthening of nuclear deterrence at the forefront, the possibility of continued tension in the Korean Peninsula situation has increased.

On the 22nd, North Korea held the Supreme People's Assembly, re-elected Kim Jong Un as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, and replaced Choe Ryong Hae with Jo Yong Won as Chairman of the Presidium of the SPA, equivalent to the Speaker of Parliament.