North Korea’s Constitutional Overhaul Redefines Nuclear Authority and Inter-Korean Relations

In March, the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly adopted a new constitution that gives State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un command of the nuclear arsenal, removes all reunification language, and adds Article 2 defining DPRK borders with China, Russia and the Republic of Korea. The amendment also permits Kim to delegate nuclear-use authority to a command body.

North Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powersBloombergNorth Korea Removes All References to Korean Reunification from Constitution: ReportNorth Korea enshrines ‘two states’ doctrine in constitution, removes references to reunificationNorth Korea Revises Constitution, Names Kim Jong Un Head of StateSouth China Morning PostNorth Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

Since 1948 the DPRK constitution emphasized peaceful reunification and praised Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. A 2023 declaration labeled inter-Korean ties as between “two hostile states,” and a 2024 amendment called South Korea a “hostile state.” The 2026 revision removes reunification language and the term “socialist.”

South China Morning PostNorth Korea enshrines ‘two states’ doctrine in constitution, removes references to reunificationNorth Korea Removes All References to Korean Reunification from Constitution: ReportNorth Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitutionNorth Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powersBloombergNorth Korea Revises Constitution, Names Kim Jong Un Head of State

• 2023: Kim declares inter-Korean ties “two hostile states.”

North Korea enshrines ‘two states’ doctrine in constitution, removes references to reunification

• March (year unspecified): 15th SPA adopts constitutional revisions.

North Korea Revises Constitution, Names Kim Jong Un Head of State

• April 2026: Four missile launches, the most in a month since 2024.

North Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

• May 2026: South Korean officials disclose the changes.

North Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

Embedding nuclear command in the constitution creates a rapid-response “nuclear trigger,” raising regional security risks. Dropping reunification language shifts policy to a pragmatic state-to-state stance, while South Korea’s claim to the whole peninsula fuels territorial tension.

North Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powers

President Lee Jae Myung warned that the ability to produce material for up to 20 weapons a year heightens urgency. NIS said the amendment signals no intent to abandon the nuclear program. Lawmakers Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun noted the removal of checks on the State Affairs Commission chairman.

Bloomberg

Analyst Park Won-gon warns the constitutional nuclear-use clause enables pre-emptive strikes; Lee Jung-chul notes the lack of explicit “hostile” language; Yang Moo-jin says deleting reunification references codifies refusal to claim South Korean territory.

North Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

Some sources say the text does not label South Korea as “hostile,” while others describe the policy as reflecting “two hostile states.” The constitution omits precise maritime boundaries, leaving the Northern Limit Line undefined.

North Korea enshrines ‘two states’ doctrine in constitution, removes references to reunification

• “Various checks on the Chairman were removed, and authority over nuclear weapons use was delegated to the Chairman.” — Park Sun-won, Ruling-party lawmaker

Bloomberg

• “By deleting references related to unification, North Korea appears to have codified the message that it will no longer seek to claim South Korean territory,” — Yang Moo-jin, Professor Emeritus, University of North Korean Studies, Seoul

North Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

• “absolutely no business dealing with South Korea... and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots” — Kim Jong Un

North Korea drops goal of unification with South from constitution

• “The inclusion of a territorial clause emphasizes its sovereignty, but the document lacked expressions referring to South Korea as a ‘hostile’ or ‘belligerent’ country,” — Lee Jung-chul, Professor of Political Science, Seoul National University

North Korea enshrines ‘two states’ doctrine in constitution, removes references to reunification

International analysts will watch for any further legal codifications of nuclear authority, while Seoul has signaled willingness to resume unconditional talks and regional security forums are expected to address the new “nuclear trigger” provision.

North Korea adds territorial clause, expands nuclear powers