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Much that divides, little that unites: South Korean soldiers on patrol in the border installations to the north
Photo: Ahn Young-joon/AP
South Korea has repeatedly tried to normalize relations with the government in Pyongyang in recent years.
But North Korea's ruler Kim Jong Un has recently increased his threatening gestures towards neighboring countries - and recently presented more ICBMs than ever before at a parade.
Now South Korea is also striking sharper tones again.
In a semi-annual defense report, Seoul calls its northern neighbor "our enemy" for the first time in six years, according to the AP news agency.
»main enemy«, »current enemy«, »our enemy«
According to the AP, North Korea's descriptions in the defense white paper had historically reflected troubled relations with the South.
Accordingly, in the past the regime in Pyongyang was referred to as the "main enemy", "current enemy" or simply "enemy".
The first designation of the north as the "main enemy" was in 1995.
However, with the slight easing of tension in recent years, Seoul has stopped using "enemy" rhetoric.
This was also the case during previous periods of détente.
Before taking office last year, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol had already spoken of North Korea as the “main enemy” during the election campaign.
"North Korea does not give up its nuclear weapons and continues to pose military threats to us, which is why the North Korean government and its military (...) are our enemy," it says now.
The white paper also notes that in December, dictator Kim himself described South Korea as "our undisputed enemy."
In addition, a new North Korean law was cited, according to which the first strike with nuclear weapons can be authorized in various scenarios.
How is North Korea reacting?
According to the AP, Pyongyang initially did not react to the new language regulation, but had repeatedly protested against such descriptions in the past and regarded them as a "provocation".
The fact that dictator Kim Jong-un is only mentioned in the latest report by his name and without his official titles of "Chairman" or "Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" could also cause trouble.
The country, which is largely isolated internationally and is governed by Kim Jong-un in an extremely authoritarian manner, has recently caused increasing unrest in the region with its military.
Last October, the country fired a ballistic missile into the sea over Japanese territory.
In early February, the country threatened South Korea and the United States with a harsh response to planned joint military exercises.
fec/AP
