Exclusive
Manila’s EV ambitions confront economic and energy realities Manila’s EV ambitions confront economic and energy realities Tunisian court dismisses case to dissolve publisher of ICIJ partner Inkyfada Tunisian court dismisses case to dissolve publisher of ICIJ partner Inkyfada Prabowo Faces Growing Discontent as Jokowi Revives His Political Ambitions Prabowo Faces Growing Discontent as Jokowi Revives His Political Ambitions
Current Affairs

Is North Korea’s constitutional shift a move towards ‘peaceful co-existence’ with South?

North Korea has removed references to “national reunification” from its constitution and newly defined its territory as land bordering South Korea, a move analysts say…

By Samantha Johnson / May 7, 2026
North Korea has removed references to “national reunification” from its constitution and newly defined its territory as land bordering South Korea, a move analysts say may signal Pyongyang’s intent to avoid direct conflict with Seoul.

The constitutional overhaul is widely seen as aligning with the North’s evolving stance towards Seoul – shifting away from reunification and towards a more formalised state-to-state relationship.

Pyongyang took more than two and a half years to revise the constitution after leader Kim Jong-un declared that inter-Korean ties should be redefined as those between “two hostile states” and ordered the change to be codified.

Advertisement

Accordingly, phrases from the previous constitution that emphasised “independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity” have been deleted, along with a pledge to “struggle to achieve national reunification”.

References in the preamble to reunification-related achievements of state founder Kim Il-sung and former leader Kim Jong-il were also removed.

A North Korean military guard post and loudspeaker (top right) and South Korean military guard post (bottom) are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea. Photo: AP
A North Korean military guard post and loudspeaker (top right) and South Korean military guard post (bottom) are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea. Photo: AP

Notably, the revised constitution introduces a territorial clause for the first time.

Advertisement

Don't Miss: