During the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Jong-un asserted that South Korea will be permanently excluded from the category of kinship, marking a solidification of North Korea's previously established 'hostile two-state' policy. This declaration complicates any plans the South Korean government had to improve inter-Korean relations, particularly with potential discussions on the horizon involving U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China. The current geopolitical climate has sharply deteriorated, making it crucial for ongoing efforts to build trust through dialogue not to be abandoned.

Kim's speech detailed clear policy directions towards both the U.S. and South Korea. He acknowledged the unchanged hostile perception from the U.S. yet suggested that if America respects North Korea's status as a de facto nuclear state and retracts its hostile policy, there will be no reason to maintain animosity. In contrast, he ridiculed the South Korean government's approach to North Korea, describing it as a clumsy deception and emphasizing that the 'hostile two states' stance is not merely a temporary tactic, but a historical choice. He further demanded that some people in South Korea abandon their ambitions of absorption and cease all provocations, warning of severe consequences should they threaten North Korea's security.

The South Korean government, under Lee Jae-myung, is promoting 'peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula' as a core value, focusing on institutionalizing peace between the North and South, fostering joint growth in the region, and realizing a nuclear-free Peninsula. These goals appear increasingly challenging in light of North Korea's hardened posture and explicit nuclear threats. The international dynamics, including diminishing U.S. leadership and instability in the Korea-U.S. alliance, suggest that North Korea is strategically opting for survival through nuclear deterrence, making the restoration of trust and dialogue more critical than ever.