The revised constitution was amended at the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly on March 23. Prior to this update, Naenara had pulled the full text of the constitution in March 2024, along with sections on modern history and overseas Koreans. These removed sections were believed to contain references to “unification” and “one nation.” The removal followed Kim’s order in January 2024 to strip expressions such as “peaceful unification” and “national unity” from the legal code. At that time, Kim declared that he would no longer consider South Korea a counterpart for reconciliation and unification.
The text now available on Naenara is largely identical to the version obtained and made public by South Korea’s unification ministry in May. That version introduced a new territorial clause, eliminated all references to unification with the South, and elevated the status and power of the leader. Specifically, the revised document grants Kim command of the nuclear forces. Minor additions in the newly posted Naenara version include a clause stating that important issues regarding the cabinet’s duties and powers are decided at plenary meetings, while other matters are determined at standing meetings. The website appears to have replaced the old text because it conflicted with North Korea’s established policy toward the South.
The publication of this revised constitution signals a concrete institutionalization of the “two hostile states” doctrine. By removing language that acknowledged a shared national identity, the regime has legally codified the separation of the Korean peninsula. This change aligns the country’s foundational legal document with the political directives issued by Kim Jong-un over the past two years, effectively closing the door on official diplomatic mechanisms aimed at reunification. The new text reinforces the regime’s stance that the two Koreas are distinct sovereign entities with no obligation to pursue unification.
While the core content mirrors the version previously shared by Seoul, the official posting on Naenara serves as a definitive statement of the new legal reality. The document now explicitly supports the separation of the two states, removing the previous constitutional mandate for national unity. This move consolidates the internal legal framework to match the external diplomatic posture adopted since 2023. The availability of the full text online provides a clear benchmark for the current constitutional order in North Korea.
The next significant development will likely involve how regional allies and diplomatic partners formally respond to this codified separation, though no immediate diplomatic reaction was included in the provided sources. The unresolved issue remains whether this constitutional change will lead to further escalatory measures or if it will serve primarily as a declarative policy shift for domestic consumption.
