South Korea defense report revives ‘enemy’ label for North

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea has referred to North Korea as “our enemy” in its biennial defense document, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years. The defense white paper published Thursday says North Korea’s nuclear programs and provocations are serious threats to South Korea’s security. North Korea conducted a record number of missile tests last year. Descriptions of North Korea in South Korea’s defense documents reflect the changing rocky ties between the two Koreas. Past South Korean documents called North Korea its “main enemy,” “present enemy” or “enemy” in times of animosity. They avoided such references when relations were improved.