North Korea has revised its constitution to formally define its territory and remove all references to reunification with South Korea, Reuters reported, citing a document. This step reflects leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to treat the two Koreas as two separate countries.According to the agency, the new Article 2 stipulates that North Korea’s territory includes lands “adjacent to the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south,” in addition to its territorial waters and airspace.The text added that North Korea “absolutely does not allow any violation on its territory.” However, it does not specify the exact border with South Korea or indicate disputed maritime areas such as the Northern Limit Line.The amended constitution also names Kim, as head of the State Affairs Commission, as head of state, replacing previous language that described the role of the supreme leader representing the state.It also explicitly places command of North Korea’s nuclear forces under the head of the State Affairs Commission, formally consolidating control of the nuclear arsenal in Kim’s hands.
A separate defense clause also describes North Korea as a “responsible nuclear weapons state” and says it will continue to develop its nuclear capabilities to protect its survival, deter war and protect regional and global stability.This amendment, which is believed to have been adopted during the March session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, marks the first time that Pyongyang has added a territorial clause to its constitution.Experts told Reuters that the changes are in line with Kim’s previous call to define South Korea as “North Korea’s main enemy and main consistent enemy” and to formally separate the two countries.Earlier in February, Kim said North Korea “has absolutely no business dealings with South Korea… and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of its citizens.”He added at the time: “As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical condition of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to abandon everything related to us and leave us alone.”While South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has offered to hold talks without preconditions, Pyongyang has not responded and continues to describe Seoul as its “most hostile” opponent.This development comes amid escalating tensions, with North Korea intensifying its missile tests and deepening military relations with Russia.