North Korea Enshrines 'Two States' Doctrine in Constitution, Removes Reunification References

North Korea has taken a significant step in formally redefining its relationship with South Korea by amending its constitution. The revised document now explicitly frames inter-Korean relations as those between two distinct and separate states, effectively abandoning the long-standing goal of national reunification that has been a cornerstone of Pyongyang's ideology.

The constitutional changes, revealed by the Unification Ministry in Seoul, include a new Article 2 that defines North Korea's territory as the northern half of the peninsula, bordering China and Russia to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south. This territorial clause emphasizes North Korea's sovereignty but notably avoids specifying exact land or maritime boundaries, potentially to sidestep heightened tensions in sensitive areas like the Northern Limit Line.

Crucially, language related to reunification, such as 'northern half,' 'national reunification,' and 'complete victory of socialism,' has been systematically removed from the constitution's preamble and main text. This revision also downplays the legacies of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il concerning reunification efforts, further solidifying Kim Jong-un's distinct approach.

While Kim Jong-un has previously described inter-Korean relations as 'hostile' and 'belligerent,' the amended constitution stops short of explicitly labeling South Korea as such. However, the revisions undeniably consolidate Kim Jong-un's authority, designating him as the country's 'head of state' and granting him, as Chairperson of the State Affairs Commission, command over the nation's nuclear forces. This move signals a hardening of North Korea's stance and a clear departure from the path of reconciliation, prioritizing state security and self-reliance above all else.

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The inclusion of a territorial clause emphasizes its sovereignty, but the document lacked expressions referring to South Korea as a ‘hostile’ or ‘belligerent’ country.