North Korea Revamps Constitution, Eliminates 'Reunification' Clause

Thairath•International•2d ago

Reader Briefing

North Korea has revised its constitution, removing references to national reunification and officially recognizing South Korea as a separate, distinct state.

•North Korea has amended its constitution to remove any mention of national reunification.
•The revised constitution clearly delineates North Korea's territory as bordering South Korea, Russia, and China.
•The changes align with Kim Jong Un's policy of treating South Korea as a separate entity and a primary adversary.
•Kim Jong Un's role as President of the State Affairs Commission is officially solidified as head of state.

Overview

•In March, North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly likely approved amendments to the constitution.
•The revised constitution explicitly defines North Korea's territorial boundaries, bordering China, Russia, and South Korea.
•Previously, in January 2024, Kim Jong Un called for constitutional revision to designate South Korea as the main enemy.
•The constitutional amendment aims to solidify the separation between North and South Korea and establish them as distinct states.
•The constitution now designates Kim Jong Un, as President of the State Affairs Commission, as the official head of state.
•The amendment also clarifies that control over the country's nuclear forces lies with the President of the State Affairs Commission.
•North Korea is defined in the defense section as a responsible nuclear weapons state committed to further nuclear development.
•The absence of a clear border demarcation between the two Koreas may indicate Pyongyang's effort to avoid immediate new tensions.

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Key Quotes

Kim Jong Un

"South Korea is the main enemy of the country, and emphasized that North Korea's territory is completely separate from South Korea."

เกาหลีใต้เป็นศัตรูหลักของประเทศ และย้ำว่าดินแดนของเกาหลีเหนือแยกออกจากเกาหลีใต้อย่างสิ้นเชิง

Key Entities

Place

North Korea(เกาหลีเหนือ)ℹ️

A country in East Asia that has amended its constitution to remove references to national reunification.

South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️

A country in East Asia now officially recognized as a separate state by North Korea's amended constitution.

Person

Kim Jong Un(คิม จอง อึน)ℹ️

The leader of North Korea who has pushed for constitutional changes recognizing South Korea as a separate nation and whose role as head of state is now formalized.

Professor Lee Jong-chol(ศาสตราจารย์ อี จอง ชอล)

A professor from Seoul National University who commented on the revised constitution's territorial definitions.

Lee Jae-myung(อี แจ มยอง)ℹ️

The President of South Korea mentioned in the context of North Korea's increased assertiveness and refusal of negotiation offers.

Organization

Supreme People's Assembly(สภาประชาชนสูงสุด)ℹ️

The legislative body of North Korea that likely approved the constitutional amendments.

Seoul National University(มหาวิทยาลัยแห่งชาติโซล)ℹ️

An academic institution where Professor Lee Jong-chol teaches, providing analysis on North Korea's constitutional changes.

North Korea's Permanent Mission to the United Nations(คณะผู้แทนถาวรของเกาหลีเหนือต่อสหประชาชาติ)

The diplomatic representation of North Korea to the UN, which has not yet commented on the constitutional revision report.

Law

President of the State Affairs Commission(ประธานคณะกรรมาธิการกิจการรัฐ)

The official title formalized in North Korea's constitution for Kim Jong Un, now recognized as head of state.

Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ)

The fundamental law of North Korea, which has been amended to remove references to national reunification and redefine territorial claims.