Kim Jong Un Labels U.S. a “Terrorist State” Amid Middle East Conflict

PYONGYANG, North Korea — In one of his most aggressive rhetorical escalations to date, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has officially branded the United States a “terrorist state,” citing Washington’s ongoing military operations in the Middle East as evidence of “global state terrorism and aggression.”

The declaration came during a landmark two-day session of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), where Kim also moved to permanently codify North Korea’s nuclear status in a revised constitution.

The “State Terrorism” Charge

In a speech delivered Monday, Kim directly linked the U.S. buildup in the Persian Gulf—including the deployment of 50,000+ troops and multiple aircraft carrier groups—to a broader pattern of American “hegemonic lawlessness.”

“The U.S. is unhesitatingly resorting to aggression and use of force against sovereign states under the signboard of ‘strength-based peace,'” Kim stated, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He specifically condemned recent strikes on Iranian and regional infrastructure as “the most despicable form of violation of sovereignty” and “state-sponsored terrorism” that justifies North Korea’s own rapid nuclear expansion.

A “United Front” of Resistance

Kim signaled that Pyongyang is no longer content with passive condemnation. He pledged to lead a “forceful role” in a global “united front” against Washington, seeking to align more closely with other nations currently targeted by U.S. military or economic pressure.

The rhetoric reflects a hardened worldview shaped by recent events:

• The “Irreversible” Nuclear Status: Kim declared that his nuclear arsenal is no longer a bargaining chip, ending any prospects for “denuclearization” talks.
• The Venezuelan Influence: Pyongyang has cited the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela as proof that only a “powerful deterrent” prevents the U.S. from pursuing regime change elsewhere.
• Strategic Alignment with Russia: Kim continues to prioritize his partnership with Moscow, exchanging munitions and potentially thousands of troops for advanced military technology and economic aid.

The “Calculated” Insult

While the “terrorist state” label is a sharp jab at the U.S. State Department’s own “State Sponsor of Terrorism” list—which includes North Korea—analysts note that Kim notably avoided attacking President Donald Trump by name.

“Kim is drawing a hard line against the American ‘system’ and its military actions while leaving a microscopic crack for personal diplomacy,” said one regional expert in Seoul. “He’s telling Trump: ‘I am a nuclear power, and if you want to talk, you must talk to me as a peer, not as a rogue state.'”

A Regional Cold War

The SPA session also formalized a “total break” from South Korea, which Kim now refers to as the North’s “most hostile entity” and a “colonial subordinate” of the U.S. By removing all references to shared nationhood and peaceful reunification from the constitution, Kim has effectively placed the Korean Peninsula on a permanent war footing.

As North Korea funnels nearly 16% of its state budget into its military for 2026, the message from Pyongyang is clear: The North has chosen its side in the new global divide, and it is arming for a long-term confrontation with what it now calls the world’s “chief terrorist.”