North Korea's new constitution deepens split with Seoul

"The new constitution, distributed by South Korea's Ministry of Unification on May 6, contains four major changes: The goal of reunifying the Korean peninsula has been abandoned, and South Korea is no longer viewed as part of a shared national community A new territorial clause has been introduced, defining North Korea as a country bordering China and Russia to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south Kim Jong Un has been given exclusive authority over the use of nuclear weapons Clauses related to the achievements of his predecessors, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, have been removed"

"Article 9 of the former constitution stated that North Korea would "strengthen the people's government in the northern half" and "strive to achieve national reunification." References to the so-called "Three Principles of National Reunification" independence, peaceful reunification and national unity have also been removed."

"North Korea's amended constitution effectively removes references to reunification with South Korea and to a shared Korean national identity, formally framing Seoul as a "hostile state." The changes, which leader Kim Jong Un had signaled at a Supreme People's Assembly in March, are a major policy departure for North Korea, which has technically remained at war with its southern neighbor since an armistice in 1953 halted hostilities in the Korean War."

"Kim Jong Un has been given exclusive authority over the use of nuclear weapons. The shift contrasts with South Korea's constitution, which claims the entire Korean Peninsula and its islands as its own territory."

North Korea’s amended constitution removes references to reunification with South Korea and to a shared Korean national identity, formally framing Seoul as a hostile state. The revised charter abandons the goal of reunifying the Korean peninsula and no longer views South Korea as part of a shared national community. It adds a territorial clause defining North Korea as bordering China and Russia to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south. Kim Jong Un is given exclusive authority over the use of nuclear weapons. Clauses related to achievements of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are removed. The changes mark a major policy departure for a state that remains technically at war with South Korea since 1953.

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