On October 7, 2024, North and South Korea escalated their rhetoric, with threats of nuclear retaliation and regime annihilation, heightening fears that a minor border incident could spark armed conflict. The tensions have intensified since the election of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2022, who has adopted a more confrontational stance towards the North compared to his predecessor, Moon Jae-in.
President Yoon's warnings came during a speech at South Korea's Armed Forces Day, where he cautioned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un against any nuclear aggression, promising a "resolute and overwhelming" response from South Korea and its US allies. This followed statements from Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, asserting that North Korea would enhance its nuclear deterrent in response to perceived US threats.
In a show of military strength, South Korea displayed its latest missile system, the Hyunmoo-5, while a US B1-bomber flew over the event, emphasizing the US commitment to South Korean security. In response, Kim Jong Un labeled Yoon a "puppet" of the US and threatened to use nuclear weapons should the South or the US initiate force against North Korea.
Experts express concern over the current situation, noting that while previous threats were often rhetorical, North Korea's nuclear capabilities now make such threats more alarming. Kim Seong-kyung, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, highlighted the risk of miscommunication leading to escalation, especially given the absence of dialogue between the two nations.
The rhetoric may also serve as a message to the US ahead of its upcoming elections, as North Korea seeks to position itself favorably depending on the outcome. Analysts warn that despite fewer clashes in recent years, the North has significantly advanced its weapons development, raising the stakes in this already volatile situation.