In a recent visit to a munitions factory, North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his stance on the possibility of an armed conflict with South Korea. State media outlet Korea Central News Agency reported that Kim referred to South Korea as "our principal enemy" during his tour.

Kim stated that while his regime has no intention of unilaterally instigating a major event in the Korean peninsula, they are also not shying away from the possibility of war. The North Korean leader emphasized that if South Korea were to use armed forces or threaten the sovereignty and security of his country, they would not hesitate to mobilize all means and forces at their disposal to annihilate the South.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent weeks, with the breakdown of international cooperation. The Kim regime's military fired a series of artillery barrages into the buffer zones between North and South Korea, citing combat drills as the reason for their actions. South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 200 shells were fired into the area on Friday, followed by an additional 60 on Saturday. In response, the South Korean Defense Ministry reportedly fired around 400 rounds.

These artillery barrages violate an agreement established in 2018 between Seoul and Pyongyang, which designated the buffer zones as prohibited areas for both artillery fire and military drills. As a response to the North Korean provocations, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on Monday that they will resume drills in the area, stating that the previous restrictions on the zone "no longer exist."

The latest statements by Kim Jong Un regarding the potential for conflict with South Korea indicate the heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. The situation continues to be closely monitored by the international community, as the possibility of a further escalation remains a concern.