North Korea brands South as 'hostile state' in new constitution shift
The North Korean constitution clearly defines South Korea as a "hostile state," state media in Pyongyang reported on Thursday. This marks the first confirmation of changes to the fundamental law following the declaration by leader Kim Jong Un, who has abandoned reunification as a national goal.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) referred to the constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in a dispatch informing about the demolition on the northern side of communication routes connecting the two Korean states.
"This is an inevitable and legitimate measure taken in keeping with the requirement of the DPRK Constitution which clearly defines the ROK as a hostile state. This is also due to the serious security circumstances running to the unpredictable brink of war" owing to the "grave political and military provocations of the hostile forces," said KCNA in an English-language article.
Citing the North Korean Ministry of Defense, the agency reported that 200-foot sections of two lanes of roadways and rail lines were blown up. These routes include the Gyeongui Line, connecting the city of Paju in the South with Kaesong in the North, and the Donghae Line, running along the peninsula's eastern coast.
Last week, KCNA reported that during the 11th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), it was unanimously decided to amend and supplement parts of the country's socialist constitution, but it did not disclose details. On January 15, in a speech before the SPA, Kim Jong Un called for South Korea to be recognized in the constitution as the "main enemy" and for the removal of terms like "peaceful reunification" from the fundamental law.
In line with the new policy direction, remnants of the "past era," such as the "eye-catching" Reunification Monument in Pyongyang, have been removed. Institutions linked to promoting inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation have also been closed.
Tension is rising between North and South Korea
Tensions between the two neighbors have been escalating since last year, following the launch of a spy satellite by Pyongyang. Both sides declared that the 2018 agreement to ease military tensions is no longer valid.
In recent days, North Korea has sharply intensified its hostile rhetoric, accusing the South of violating its airspace by flying drones over the capital. Pyongyang has announced retaliatory actions, not excluding the use of nuclear weapons.
North and South Korea have formally remained at war for over 70 years, as the armed conflict from 1950-1953 ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
