Kim Jong Un warns North Korea could 'completely destroy' South if threatened

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned on Thursday, February 26, 2026, that his country could 'completely destroy' South Korea through 'arbitrary action' if its security was threatened, during the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula amid differing approaches between the two nations. The remarks, reported by state media KCNA, represent Kim's most direct warnings against Seoul, as he labeled South Korea as the 'most hostile enemy' and revealed plans to significantly expand the country's nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile arsenal while ruling out any discussions with the South. Kim emphasized that North Korea would focus solely on strengthening its military capabilities, including developing advanced systems using artificial intelligence, unmanned drones, and weapons capable of targeting enemy satellites. The congress concluded with a military parade in the capital on Wednesday, further showcasing the regime's military ambitions. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded to the provocative statements by emphasizing that peace is the value his country must espouse, acknowledging that 'a long-established sense of hostility and confrontation cannot be eliminated in an instant' while stressing the need to build trust through continuous efforts. The contrasting approaches highlight the deepening rift between Seoul and Pyongyang, with North Korea taking an increasingly confrontational stance while South Korea advocates for diplomatic engagement. The heightened tensions come amid speculation about potential meetings between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2, with South Korea's spy agency suggesting such a summit could occur during that timeframe. The presence of Kim's daughter, Ju Ae, at the party congress has further fueled speculation about succession plans in the reclusive nation, with analysts closely watching her role in the regime's public events. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, North Korea has assembled approximately 50 warheads and possesses sufficient fissile material to produce up to 40 more, with evidence suggesting Pyongyang is accelerating production of additional nuclear materials. Despite rejecting overtures from Trump during his first term, Kim has left the door open for future discussions with the US, stating that if Washington withdraws its confrontational policy and respects North Korea's current status, 'there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the US.'