(LEAD) LS. Korea remains unchanged on stance regarding N. Korea as enemy: defense ministry (opens original article in a new tab)

South Korea's defense ministry reaffirms North Korea as an enemy in its upcoming 2026 defense white paper, countering reports of potential changes amid the Lee Jae Myung government's rapprochement policy.

• Defense ministry reaffirms North Korea as enemy in 2026 defense white paper
• Unification ministry suggests reevaluating enemy designation for peaceful co-existence
• Previous governments have alternated between enemy designation and diplomatic approaches