North Korean white paper: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol heightened threat of nuclear conflict

North Korea’s Institute of Enemy State Studies released a document, disseminated through the state news agency KCNA, expressing sharp criticism of Yoon’s “reckless remarks” concerning war. The document accused him of discarding parts of an inter-Korean agreement, collaborating with the United States on nuclear war strategies, and pursuing strengthened relations with Japan and NATO, according to a report by Reuters.

According to the publication, North Korea’s increasingly aggressive military actions have paradoxically led to a rapid expansion in its nuclear arsenal and advances in its nuclear strike capability.

Conservative leader Yoon has adopted a stringent stance regarding North Korea, which continues to advance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, directly contravening United Nations Security Council resolutions.

North Korea is intensifying efforts to dismantle relations with South Korea,

The geopolitical landscape took a sharper turn after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un categorized South Korea as a “primary foe” earlier this year. This has effectively redefined South Korea as a distinct and adversarial state, with Kim’s statements suggesting that the prospect of reunification is now off the table.

Last month, North Korea reportedly demolished parts of roads and rail lines on its side of the heavily militarized border with South Korea. According to recent satellite images, Pyongyang has subsequently constructed extensive trenches across these former inter-Korean crossings.

The Korean Peninsula remains in a state of technical conflict, as the Korean War concluded in 1953 with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving North and South Korea without a conclusive end to hostilities.

The ongoing tensions between North and South Korea have escalated further as both nations have engaged in a dispute over the release of balloons. Since May, North Korea has reportedly been launching balloons filled with trash toward the South. According to Pyongyang, these activities are retaliatory measures in response to similar balloons deployed by anti-North Korean activists in South Korea.

In its latest report released on Sunday, the white paper outlined the ongoing domestic challenges faced by President Yoon, including controversies surrounding his spouse. These issues have significantly impacted his approval ratings, which have plummeted to all-time lows.

In a strategic maneuver, the United States dispatched B-1B bombers on Sunday to partake in joint aerial exercises with South Korea and Japan. This deployment comes as a reaction to North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, as reported by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a statement highlighting that the military exercise demonstrated the robust commitment of the three nations to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats through collaborative efforts.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have announced that this marks the second instance this year of the three nations undertaking joint air exercises. Additionally, it is the fourth occasion in 2024 that the United States has stationed its strategic bombers on the Korean Peninsula.