South Korea called North Korea “our enemy” for the first time in six years in its biennial defense document released on Thursday.
The Associated Press reported that the document said, “North Korea does not give up its nuclear weapons and constantly poses military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military … are our enemies.”
His rival’s country description in defense newspapers typically reflects the relationship between the two. During past bouts of animosity, South Korea referred to its neighbor as the “major enemy,” the “current enemy,” or the “enemy.”
When the reports were in better shape, such references were not made.
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North Korean military guard posts, rear, and South Korean posts, bottom, are seen in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young Joon)
Also included in the document was North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s reference to South Korea as “our undisputed enemy” during a speech at a key meeting of the ruling party in December, as well as the passage of a new North Korean law that authorizes the preventive use of nuclear weapons in a wide range of scenarios.
Kim Jong Un was also referred to by his first name only, a change from documents released under former President Moon Jae-in where references included his titles.
The latest defense documents listed the main goals of South Korea’s defense policies as preparing for threats and a potential invasion by North Korea, adding that its nuclear program and provocations “are seriously threatening our security.” .
Deterring a war on the Korean peninsula and contributing to a peaceful reunification of Korean countries are also included in SK’s defense goals.
North Korea did not immediately respond to the renewed use of the enemy label, according to The AP. In the past, the North has railed against similar terminology by accusing South Korea of demonstrating hostility.
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South Korean Army soldiers work with K-9 self-propelled howitzers in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young Joon)
South Korea first called North Korea its “major enemy” in 1995, a year after the North threatened to turn Seoul into a “sea of fire”. Similar rhetoric has been used repeatedly since as tensions have escalated.
The South stopped using the enemy terminology in the 2000s during a period of low hostility, but reverted it in 2010 when 50 navy sailors were killed in a torpedo attack blamed on North Korea.
South Korea again avoided referring to North Korea as its enemy when it was ruled by Moon from 2017 to 2022, who focused heavily on reconciling with the North.
Defense documents released at the time did not mention North Korea by name when they stated that the South Korean military “considers any force that threatens and violates the sovereignty, territory, people and property of the Republic of Korea as an enemy”.
Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May 2022, has promised a severe response to North Korea’s provocations. During his election campaign, he wrote on Facebook that SK’s “main enemy is North Korea” after conducting a series of missile tests.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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North Korea conducted more than 90 cruise and ballistic missile tests in 2022, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea. The number of tests is the highest on record.
In response, Yoon said he is seeking a stronger security commitment from the United States and to boost South Korea’s military capabilities.
