I just read something quite interesting about the latest geopolitical statements. Kim Jong Un dropped a line that went around the world: he described Israel as a “Washington-backed terrorist project.” Honestly, it’s classic Pyongyang, but it says a lot about North Korea’s communication strategy.

So here’s the context. Kim Jong Un made this statement during a commemorative speech, accusing Israel of being a puppet of American imperialism. According to him, everything that’s happening in the Middle East—especially the tensions with Palestine—would be orchestrated by Washington in order to maintain its regional dominance. It’s a narrative that Pyongyang has been hammering away at for decades: the United States and its allies = the aggressors of the world.

North Korea has always positioned itself alongside Palestinian causes, viewing Israel as nothing more than an extension of American influence. So when Kim Jong Un calls Israel a “terrorist project,” he reinforces this anti-imperialist narrative. This is clearly an attempt to mobilize domestic support and make noise on the global stage.

On the international reaction side, it’s a real mixed bag. Western powers have largely dismissed the statement as the typical North Korean hyperbole. The U.S. State Department found it “non-productive” and asked Pyongyang to focus on denuclearization rather than incendiary rhetoric. Israel hasn’t really responded officially, but analysts suggest that they see it as business as usual for North Korea.

On social media, especially X, reactions are polarized. Some users applaud Kim Jong Un’s “courage,” while others point out the hypocrisy: how can he criticize terrorism when his regime is known for massive human rights violations? One user posted something along the lines of: “Kim calls someone a terrorist project? That’s rich coming from a guy with nuclear weapons and labor camps.”

But let’s be honest. This statement about Israel is probably not going to change much in the geopolitical landscape. It’s mostly domestic propaganda. North Korea has very little direct involvement in the Israel–Palestine conflict. What it does is use symbolic gestures to align itself with certain ideological camps and, frankly, to divert attention from its own internal problems: economic difficulties, and international sanctions.

The interesting thing is that this strategy shows how North Korea uses inflammatory language to position itself as a defender of the “oppressed.” Kim Jong Un draws on anti-imperialist narratives that resonate with certain audiences, especially in some parts of the Global South. It’s a classic political calculation: sow controversy, amplify existing divisions, and present itself as an alternative voice.

So what does this mean going forward? Probably that North Korea will continue to use this kind of provocative rhetoric. As long as tensions in the Middle East persist and Pyongyang navigates through its own challenges, statements like this one will remain a tool for asserting its presence on the world stage. For now, we’re seeing how Kim Jong Un is adding his layer to this ongoing geopolitical drama. Will his words spark meaningful dialogue, or will they simply disappear into the noise of world politics? We’ll see.