Kim Says Goodbye To Peaceful Reunification

In a speech in January 2024, Kim said that the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification was an eyesore and called for its destruction. He also called “to completely eliminate such concepts as "reunification", "reconciliation" and "fellow countrymen" from the national history of our Republic.” which is a direct quote. This monument, symbolizing the hope for peaceful reunification of the Korean people was then blown up, if reports are accurate.

Does this mean peaceful reunification is off the table?

In Kims eyes it sure seems that way. In this speech he says very openly, finding a peaceful way of reuniting the Koreas is no longer an option. Going so far as to call for an amendment to the North Korean constitution (Yes they do have one) that would redesignate South Korean as their “principle enemy”.

Directly for Kim himself:

“ It is the final conclusion drawn from the bitter history of the inter-Korean relations that we cannot go along the road of national restoration and reunification together with the ROK clan”

“And I think it is right to specify in the relevant paragraph of our constitution that such linguistic remnants misinterpreting the north and the south as fellow countrymen as "3 000-ri tapestry-like land" and "80 million compatriots" are not used in the political, ideological, mental and cultural life of our people, and that education should be intensified to instill into them the firm idea that ROK is their primary foe and invariable principal enemy.”

Now what does this mean in the big picture? Well, from the outside it seems as though North Korea wishes to completely sever ties with the south and erase all historic evidence that the north had ever wished to reunify the Koreas.

Reading through the speech gives us much insight into his plans. He talks of building up his science and technology sectors, as well as healthcare and education. He spends most of the speech talking about how he will bring new life to the economy which in turn would result in a better standard of living for his people. He even goes so far as to admit that the government and Party have failed the people.

“Our people always and invariably support the Party and the government and accept any policy as their own and uphold it with absolute and unconditional executive ability. This is because they firmly trust in the Party and the government of the Republic, which have put forward the promotion of the people’s well-being as the supreme principle of state activities. It is reality that the Party and the government yet fail to meet even the simple demand of the people in life although they are said to be striving to live up to the people's deep trust without fail.”

While his fundamental thoughts of why his people behave as they do is quite skewed, the fact is, Kim is openly admitting to his people that they made huge mistakes.

He goes on further to say this

“It is the immutable principle of our Party and government that there may be differences between regions in their geographical setting, resources, economic potentials and living environment, but there should be no backward region in the aspect of the people's living in the territory of our Republic. At present, there is a great disparity of living standards between the capital city and provinces and between towns and the countryside. Such a gap also exists in every province, city and county according to their conditions. We can never ignore such phenomena that run counter to the idea of the comprehensive development of socialist construction, and we should take strong state support measures to improve the overall regional economy.”

On the surface this speech seems to be an indication not only to the North Korean people but also to the world that Kim wants to radically change the status quo in the DPRK.

Kim is redirecting the hatred south toward Seoul actively conditioning his people to despise the South Koreans.

Assumptions about "why" are just that, perhaps he wants a few million young men and women ready to fight when the time comes. He is building up industry and his economy, via gathering and stockpiling resources and improving means of production. As well as the production capacity increase, this new initiative will drive more income into the coffers of the Kim Regime to spend on all sorts of military equipment.

He is trying to play the role of the savior as to separate himself from the failures of his government and party. A crucial step in securing his future in the North Koreans hearts and minds.

In summation, my thought is that this seems like Kim is readying his country for a war with South Korea. While on the surface it seems to be a move to build up and help his people, I don't see it this way.

I see Kim understanding that he can no longer isolate his people from the outside world and that he needs to change the odds to come out in his favor. I believe he looks at war with the south as an inevitability and due to wars sparking up all over the globe the idea of a South Korean invasion seems more and more likely to happen sooner than previously thought.

As well, a large technological gap has emerged in the military capability of all of Kim's enemies and perhaps seeing nuclear weapons as not a good enough deterrent wants to bolster traditional military power.

Perhaps my understanding of the situation is skewed and this is truly a matter of Kim trying to protect the cultural way of North Korea as he’s seen some much change in the south. Maybe he really does want to lift his people out of poverty and make some sort of socialist ideal state. Now everyone knows that the story ends horrifically, but I like to see the good in people. Perhaps Kim has had an acid trip and is all about love now, but I doubt it.