The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on May 7 that North Korea's constitutional amendments clarify the existence of two states but significantly reduce hostility towards South Korea.
After a meeting of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, ruling party lawmaker Park Sun-won stated that the NIS provided an assessment of the new constitution.
According to Park, the NIS noted that while the new constitution establishes a territorial clause stating that North Korea's territory includes areas adjacent to South Korea, it does not label South Korea as an enemy or mention the need to subdue it during wartime.
The NIS also indicated that although there is a clause asserting the inviolability of territory adjacent to South Korea, there are no hostile statements directed at the South.
Park added that the NIS interprets the constitutional changes as a clear indication of North Korea's separation from South Korea, emphasizing that this reflects a focus on maintaining the status quo rather than aggressive actions.
Additionally, the NIS reported that references to the achievements of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in state-building and unification have been removed, consolidating Kim Jong-un's leadership authority.
The revised constitution, released the previous day, includes a new clause stating that the chairman of the State Affairs Commission has command over North Korea's nuclear forces.
Lee Jong-suk, the NIS director, explained that this clause serves as a clear declaration that North Korea will not abandon its nuclear arsenal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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