Trending Now - Kim Jong Un Intensifies Nuclear Rhetoric Against US and Allies

WHO:

Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader

Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un

Sanae Takaichi, Japanese Prime Minister

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

U.S. President Donald Trump

Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea

WHAT:

Kim Jong Un stated, “The current world reality... clearly teaches what the true guarantee of a state's existence and peace is,” in reference to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

Kim expressed pride in North Korea’s rapid expansion of nuclear weapons and missiles, calling it the “right” choice to counter future threats and “hegemonic pursuits” by “gangsterlike” imperialists.

Kim reiterated that North Korea will continue to build nuclear weapons and rejected trading disarmament for security guarantees.

The Supreme People’s Assembly passed a revised version of the North Korean constitution, with expectations that it will categorize South Korea as a permanent enemy and remove references to shared nationhood.

The Supreme People’s Assembly passed a revised constitution on March 23rd, 2026, with expectations that the revisions would codify South Korea as a permanent enemy and remove references to shared nationhood.

Kim Jong Un stated, “The current world reality... clearly teaches what the true guarantee of a state's existence and peace is,” in reference to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

North Korea's defense spending for 2026 was raised to 15.8% of total expenditure.

Kim Jong Un accused the United States of global “state terrorism and aggression” in reference to its attacks on Iran.

Kim stated, “The government of our republic will continue to consolidate our absolutely irreversible status as a nuclear power and will aggressively wage a struggle against hostile forces to crush their (anti-North Korean) provocations and schemes.”

Kim Yo Jong said, “I don’t want to see the prime minister of Japan coming to Pyongyang,” while describing her rejection as “just my personal position.”

Kim Yo Jong stated that a summit between Kim Jong Un and Prime Minister Takaichi will not occur if Japan maintains its “anachronistic” approach.

Takaichi expressed a “very strong desire” to meet Kim Jong Un during a summit with U.S. President Trump.

Kim Jong Un pledged to irreversibly cement North Korea’s status as a nuclear power.

Kim called South Korea the “most hostile” state.

Kim accused the United States of global “state terrorism and aggression.”

The Supreme People’s Assembly passed a revised constitution, specifics not disclosed.

Kim expressed pride in North Korea’s rapid expansion of nuclear weapons and missiles.

Kim stated, “The dignity of the nation, its national interest and its ultimate victory can only be guaranteed by the strongest of power.”

Kim has suspended all meaningful dialogue with Washington and Seoul since the collapse of his second summit with Trump in 2019.

WHERE:

Pyongyang, North Korea

South Korea

WHEN:

Kim's speech was delivered on March 23rd, 2026, during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

The Supreme People’s Assembly concluded its two-day session on March 23rd, 2026.

Kim's speech was delivered on March 23rd, 2026, during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Kim Yo Jong's statement was made on March 23rd, 2026.

Kim's speech was delivered on March 23rd, 2026.

The Supreme People’s Assembly concluded its two-day session on March 23rd, 2026.

Kim declared in 2024 that North Korea would abandon its long-term goal of peaceful unification with South Korea.

WHY:

Analysts suggest Kim’s comments reflect a belief that nuclear weapons deter intervention, reinforcing the argument that they are essential for regime survival.

Kim's comments reflect a hard-line stance against perceived threats from the United States and its allies, particularly in light of rising anti-American sentiment.

Kim Yo Jong indicated that Japan must break with its “anachronistic practice and habit” for a meeting to take place, suggesting pressure for concessions from Japan.

Kim’s hard-line stance is a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies.

Kim views South Korea as an obstacle to his push for a more assertive regional role.

HOW:

Kim has prioritized Russia in his foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large amounts of military equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for aid and military technology.

Kim has prioritized Russia in his foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large amounts of military equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Kim Yo Jong described her rejection of a summit as “just my personal position,” implying a strategy to influence Japan's stance.

Kim has prioritized Russia in his foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and military equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 15:53 UTC)

In a speech delivered during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly on March 23, 2026, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of nuclear weapons for North Korea, stating that the current world reality teaches the necessity of a state's existence and peace. He expressed pride in the country's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal, labeling it the right choice against perceived threats from what he called "gangsterlike" imperialists, and reiterated that North Korea will not trade disarmament for security guarantees. Additionally, the assembly passed a revised constitution that is expected to designate South Korea as a permanent enemy, further solidifying the regime's stance on national identity and security.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 13:43 UTC)

On March 23, 2026, the Supreme People’s Assembly in North Korea passed a revised constitution that designates South Korea as a permanent enemy and removes references to shared nationhood. During this session, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of nuclear weapons for state survival, citing the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran as a lesson in maintaining peace. Additionally, North Korea's defense spending for 2026 has been increased to 15.8% of its total expenditure.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 11:28 UTC)

In a speech delivered during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly on March 23, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accused the United States of global “state terrorism and aggression” regarding its actions in Iran. He emphasized that North Korea will maintain its status as a nuclear power and continue to confront what he described as anti-North Korean provocations, while his sister, Kim Yo Jong, expressed her personal disapproval of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visiting Pyongyang. Kim's remarks highlight a hard-line approach against perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies, coinciding with his focus on strengthening ties with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 09:29 UTC)

On March 23, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated that a summit between her brother and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will not happen if Japan continues its “anachronistic” approach. Takaichi had expressed a “very strong desire” to meet with Kim during a recent summit with President Trump. Kim Yo Jong emphasized that her rejection of the summit was “just my personal position,” suggesting a strategy to push Japan for concessions.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 07:37 UTC)

In a speech delivered yesterday in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to irreversibly cement his country's status as a nuclear power, calling South Korea the "most hostile" state and accusing the United States of global "state terrorism and aggression." During the same address, Kim expressed pride in North Korea's rapid expansion of nuclear weapons and missiles, while also announcing the suspension of all meaningful dialogue with Washington and Seoul since his second summit with Trump in 2019. The Supreme People’s Assembly also concluded a two-day session yesterday, during which they passed a revised constitution, although the specifics were not disclosed.