North Korea has quietly removed all references to reunification with South Korea from its constitution, according to a document seen by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday. The revision, which South Korea's Unification Ministry presented at a news conference in Seoul, marks a formal break with decades of official policy that envisioned eventual Korean unification.
The clause that previously stated the North aimed 'to realise the unification of the motherland' no longer appears. Instead, the updated text—reportedly adopted in March—includes a new territorial definition. It describes North Korea's borders as including the area adjacent to China and Russia to the north, and 'the Republic of Korea to the south,' using Seoul's official name. The document adds that Pyongyang 'absolutely does not allow any infringement on its territory.'
Kim Jong Un's Hostile Turn
The constitutional change follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's policy address in March, in which he labelled South Korea the 'most hostile state.' Since then, Pyongyang has intensified its rhetoric and military posture. In April, the North conducted four missile tests—the highest monthly tally in over two years—as Kim vowed to expand his nuclear arsenal.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called for unconditional talks with the North, stating that the two Koreas are destined 'to make the flowers of peace bloom.' However, Pyongyang has not responded to these overtures and continues to refer to Seoul as its primary adversary.
The South's Unification Ministry noted in April that the North Korean economy shows signs of recovery, driven by deepening trade and diplomatic ties with Russia and traditional ally China. China has long been Pyongyang's main economic backer, but since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has drawn significantly closer to the Kremlin.
In 2024, Pyongyang and Moscow signed a defence treaty requiring mutual military support if either is attacked. That same year, North Korea dispatched thousands of troops to Russia, deploying them to the western Kursk region to help fend off a Ukrainian counter-offensive. This military cooperation has raised concerns in Brussels and other European capitals, as it directly supports Russia's war effort and undermines international sanctions.
The constitutional revision underscores a broader strategic shift in East Asia, with implications for European security. As North Korea aligns more closely with Russia, European policymakers are watching for potential spillover effects, including increased arms flows and technology transfers that could destabilise the region further. The move also complicates diplomatic efforts by Seoul and Washington to engage Pyongyang, while reinforcing the divide on the Korean peninsula.
For now, the Lee administration in Seoul faces a stark reality: the North has not only hardened its stance but enshrined it in law. Whether this constitutional change is a prelude to further escalation or a negotiating tactic remains unclear, but it signals that Kim Jong Un is committed to a long-term policy of confrontation.
