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

South Korea's defense ministry confirmed North Korea remains its enemy, rejecting claims it may remove the designation from the upcoming defense white paper. The ministry plans to publish the 2026 white paper later this year, with sources indicating the enemy label will remain. The characterization of North Korea as an enemy first appeared in 1995 and has been periodically revised based on inter-Korean relations.

• South Korea's defense ministry reaffirmed North Korea as an enemy
• Report about removing enemy label from defense white paper denied
• Defense white paper 2026 expected to retain enemy designation