Overview
- South Korea disclosed Wednesday at a Unification Ministry briefing that North Korea’s revised constitution deletes all reunification language and adds a territorial clause that names the Republic of Korea to the south.
- Seoul’s spy agency told lawmakers Thursday the text tones down hostile wording toward the South and does not label it an enemy, even as it asserts Pyongyang will not tolerate any infringement on its territory.
- The amendments elevate Kim Jong-un as head of state, rank his office above the legislature, and give him explicit command of nuclear forces with authority to delegate, while describing the country as a responsible nuclear weapons state.
- The document omits disputed maritime boundaries such as the Northern Limit Line and trims ideological and dynastic references, including dropping the word “socialist” from the constitution’s title.
- The South Korean presidential office said it will conduct a comprehensive review and continue a policy of peaceful coexistence following the Wednesday disclosure.