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North Korea has amended its constitution to remove all references to national reunification with South Korea, a move that analysts say signals a fundamental shift in Pyongyang's approach to inter-Korean relations. The revised document, which was distributed by South Korea's Ministry of Unification on May 6, also introduces a new territorial clause and formalizes leader Kim Jong Un's exclusive authority over nuclear weapons.

The constitutional changes, which were approved during a session of the Supreme People's Assembly in March, reflect a policy shift that Kim first signaled in late 2023 when he called Seoul the "main enemy." The amendments mark a departure from decades of policy dating back to 1948, when North Korea formally committed to pursuing unification.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets, including Deutsche Welle, the South China Morning Post, and Yonhap News Agency, confirm that the revised constitution eliminates all references to reunification, including phrases such as "peaceful reunification" and "great national unity." The new territorial clause defines North Korea's territory as the land bordering China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south, along with adjacent territorial waters and airspace.

Yonhap News Agency, which reviewed the document at a press conference held at the unification ministry, noted that the constitution does not elaborate on the long-disputed maritime border between the two Koreas in the Yellow Sea, particularly around the Northern Limit Line. The agency also reported that the constitution does not identify South Korea as a "primary foe," contradicting assumptions that it would do so following Kim's characterization of Seoul as an enemy.

Deutsche Welle reported that the constitutional overhaul is widely seen as aligning with the North's evolving stance towards Seoul, shifting away from reunification and towards a more formalized state-to-state relationship. The outlet also noted that the revised constitution removes clauses related to the achievements of Kim's predecessors, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Fox News, citing a report from The Telegraph, highlighted a provision requiring a retaliatory nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated. The outlet reported that the revised policy outlines procedures for retaliatory action if North Korea's leadership is incapacitated or killed, with a provision stating that "a nuclear strike shall be launched automatically and immediately" if command-and-control over the state's nuclear forces is placed in danger.

Key Claims

  • North Korea has removed all references to national reunification from its constitution, including terms such as "peaceful reunification" and "great national unity."
  • The revised constitution introduces a new territorial clause defining North Korea's territory as land bordering China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south, along with adjacent territorial waters and airspace.
  • Kim Jong Un has been given exclusive authority over the use of nuclear weapons, with command over nuclear forces resting with the State Affairs Commission chairman.
  • The constitution designates Kim Jong Un as North Korea's head of state, a change from previous language that described the chairman post as the country's supreme leader who represents the state.
  • A provision in the revised constitution requires a retaliatory nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated, as reported by Fox News.
  • The revised constitution tones down hostility towards South Korea, according to an assessment by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, which noted that while the two-states stance is clear, there were no hostile remarks toward the South.

Perspectives

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS): The NIS assessed that North Korea has significantly tamped down its hostility toward South Korea in the revised constitution, while maintaining the two-states stance. The agency noted that the constitution does not describe the South as an enemy or a target to be taken down in the event of a war, signaling an intention to "maintain the status quo and manage the situation" rather than adopting an offensive posture.

Political scientist Lee Jung-chul of Seoul National University: Lee, cited by Yonhap, said the new policy could form a basis for "peaceful coexistence" between the two Korean states. He also noted that the omission of a specific inter-Korean border suggested that Pyongyang was seeking to avoid confrontation for the time being.