North Korea changes the constitution and definitively deletes the idea of unification with Seoul. She clearly defined her territory without compromise.
In North Korea’s amended constitution, there is a new territory clause and all references to unification with South Korea are removed. This was reported by Jonhap and AFP agencies on Wednesday, which had a look at the constitution, writes TASR.
The DPRK has defined its territory as a landmass bordering Russia and China to the north and South Korea to the south, along with adjacent territorial waters and airspace. However, it did not deal in more detail with the long-term disputed maritime border between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea.
New territorial definition
At the same time, North Korea “absolutely does not allow any violation of its territory”.
All references to Korean reunification, including terms such as “peaceful reunification” and “great national unity,” were removed from the constitution. Jonhap reports that the achievements of Kim Jong-il, the former North Korean leader and father of the current one, were also dropped.
The constitutional change came after Kim Jong-un officially labeled South Korea the “most hostile state” in March of this year and Seoul warned of the consequences of any provocations.
South Korea’s reaction
South Korean President Jae-myong I has called for negotiations with the DPRK without conditions, declaring that these countries are destined to “let the flowers of peace bloom.”
However, Pyongyang did not respond to the South Korean president’s proposals and repeatedly called Seoul its “most hostile” opponent.
Changes in the constitution since 1948
North Korea adopted its first constitution in 1948 after it was separated from its southern neighbor following Japanese occupation. It was amended five times, until the introduction of the Socialist Basic Law of the State in 1972. Another 12 amendments followed, and this March, the word “socialist” was dropped from the constitution’s title, Jonhap writes.
