North Korea Warns It Could 'Completely Destroy' South Korea, Leaves Door Open for U.S. Dialogue

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed his nuclear-armed country could 'completely destroy' South Korea if its security were threatened, reiterating his refusal to engage with Seoul while leaving the door open to dialogue with Washington. The dual message came as Kim concluded a ruling party congress outlining his five-year policy goals. The posture — belligerence toward Seoul, openness toward Washington — suggests Pyongyang may be seeking a direct channel to the Trump administration while maintaining its hardline stance against the South.