South Korea called North Korea “our enemy” for the first time in six years in its biennial defense document released Thursday.
The Associated Press reported the document as saying: “North Korea does not give up its nuclear weapons and persistently poses military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military … are our enemies.”
The description of his rival’s country in defense documents typically reflects the relationship between the two. During past times of animosity, South Korea referred to its neighbor as the “main enemy,” “current enemy,” or “enemy.”
When relationships were on better terms, such referrals were not made.
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North Korean military guard posts, rear, and South Korean military guard posts, bottom, are seen in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Thursday, May 16. February 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s reference to South Korea as “our undoubted enemy” during a speech at a key ruling party meeting in December was also included in the document, as was the approval of a new North Korean law authorizing the preventive use of nuclear weapons. weapons in a wide range of scenarios.
Kim Jong Un was also referred to by name only, a change from documents issued under former President Moon Jae-in, where references included their titles.
The latest defense documents listed the main objectives of South Korea’s defense policies as preparation for threats and a possible invasion by North Korea, adding that its nuclear program and provocations “seriously threaten our security.”
Deterring a war on the Korean peninsula and contributing to a peaceful reunification of the Korean countries are also included in SK’s defense objectives.
North Korea did not immediately respond to the revived use of the enemy label, according to The AP. In the past, the North has lashed out at similar terminology when accusing South Korea of displaying 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, Thursday, February 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
South Korea first called North Korea its “main enemy” in 1995, a year after the North threatened to turn Seoul into a “sea of fire.” Similar rhetoric has been used repeatedly since then if tensions rise.
The South stopped using the enemy terminology in the 2000s during a time of low hostility, but brought it back 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 largely on reconciling with the North.
Defense documents released during that time did not mention North Korea by name when they said the South Korean military “regards as an enemy any force that threatens and violates the sovereignty, territory, people and property of the Republic of Korea”.
Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May 2022, has promised a harsh response to North Korea’s provocations. During his election campaign, he wrote on Facebook that SK’s “main enemy is North Korea” after he conducted a series of missile tests.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, January 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 strikes against South Korea. The number of tests is the highest on record.
In response, Yoon said he is seeking a stronger security commitment from the US and boosting South Korea’s own military capabilities.
