I just came across an interesting development in geopolitics. Kim Jong-un recently stated in a national commemorative speech that Israel is not a country but a terrorist project supported by Washington. This kind of rhetoric is quite typical; North Korea has long been known for anti-Western statements, but this time the wording is indeed more radical.

The background is North Korea’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. In his speech, Kim Jong-un accused Israel of acting as a puppet of American imperialism, claiming that all of Israel’s actions in the Middle East, especially conflicts with Palestine, are orchestrated behind the scenes by Washington. This narrative has actually been circulating in North Korea’s propaganda system for decades; now they are simply reinforcing it.

The international response is quite interesting. Western countries and Israel mostly see this as North Korea’s routine bluff. A State Department spokesperson said these remarks are "not constructive" and called on North Korea to focus on denuclearization negotiations rather than provocative rhetoric. The Israeli government did not respond directly, but analysts believe they are used to this kind of rhetoric. However, in some regions of the Middle East and the Global South, voices supporting Palestine have indeed echoed, and there are even many posts on X platform praising Kim Jong-un’s comments.

But there’s an ironic point here. Someone commented on X that it’s absurd for someone with nuclear weapons and labor camps to accuse others of being a terrorist project. This reflects the divided international opinion on North Korea—on one hand, some acknowledge his criticism of U.S. hegemony, but on the other hand, they cannot ignore North Korea’s human rights record.

From a deeper perspective, Kim Jong-un’s remarks are mainly aimed at domestic propaganda and geopolitical positioning. North Korea has little real influence in Middle Eastern conflicts; it’s more of a symbolic political gesture. By attacking Israel, he demonstrates to the domestic audience North Korea’s firm stance against Western hegemony, while also trying to divert attention from domestic economic difficulties and international sanctions. He is also reinforcing North Korea’s narrative framework about U.S. global dominance.

Overall, although such statements sound intense, they are unlikely to truly change the international landscape. North Korea has been using this kind of provocative rhetoric to maintain its international presence, especially among certain anti-Western circles. As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, North Korea may continue to make similar statements, but these are more political rhetoric than actual actions. Kim Jong-un’s words also remind us that the complexity of today’s geopolitics far exceeds surface appearances; behind the statements of various countries are often strategic considerations.