North Korea Closes The Door on Reunification with South Korea

Author: Dian Kencana
February 9, 2024

The Monument to Three Charters of National Reunification south of Pyongyang, North Korea. It was built at the southern approach to Thongil Street in August 2001. Photo: Wikipedia

SEAToday.com,Seoul-The idea of reunification of South Korea and North Korea has reached a dead end after President Kim abandoned his goal in a speech before the Supreme People's Assembly on January 15th.

Kim's speech had declared Seoul an enemy, saying that the South Korean government had lost consciousness due to mutual military activities between North and South Korea, as well as joint military exercises between the United States and Japan with South Korea.

President Kim ordered the rewriting of North Korea's constitution to reflect new changes in the regime. Landmark monuments depicting the ideals of reunification in North Korea were torn down and offices related to reunification were closed. In addition, Kim also began testing various types of missile systems from early 2024.

South Korea, led by President Yoon, has a different view from the previous President Moon. Yoon's view of North Korea is not in a harmonious way. The Yoon government has organized efforts with the US and Japan to deter and counter North Korea's aggressive actions through joint naval exercises. The drills were a response to Pyongyang deploying nine warships, but Kim accused this action of being offensive.

The security dilemma between Seoul and Pyongyang has raised concerns in the international community. This is because the external leaders of the Korean Peninsula are nuclear countries involved in rivalry and there is a possibility of a skirmish between Pyongyang and Seoul. The closeness of South Korea and the United States as well as China which consistently supports North Korea can have an impact on regional and even international security dynamics. (HALIMATUN/DKD)