This article examines three key points on the discourse of nation and nationalism in North Korea. First, it explores the multidimensional aspects and representation of the nation during the stable socialist period. Second, it analyzes how the concept of “Jose-on Nation First” emerged in the late 1980s amid political crises, redefining national identity. Third, it examines the evolution of the nation under Kim Jong-un, where the “state” was initially prioritized over “nation,” with ethnic identity formally retained but deemphasized. However, during the 2018 inter-Korean dialogues, “nation” briefly resurfaced, only to narrow again after the Hanoi summit. Ultimately, the study argues that South Korea’s prosperity and the enduring nature of nationhood challenge the legitimacy of North Korea’s recent Two Hostile States doctrine.