North Korea has amended its constitution to officially recognize South Korea as a separate state and remove any reference to a possible unification of the Korean Peninsula. Reuters reported this on May 6 with reference to the draft updated document.
The agency noted that the new version for the first time clearly defines the territory of the DPRK as bordering China and the aggressor country Russia in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south. It is also stated that the country will not allow violations of its territory, although specific borders with South Korea are not specified.
Separately, the constitution enshrines the role of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as head of state and his full control over the country's nuclear forces. North Korea is also officially designated as a “responsible nuclear state” that will develop a nuclear arsenal to deter war.
Analysts note that such changes consolidate Pyongyang's “two hostile states” policy and further complicate the prospects for dialogue with Seoul.
