North Korea has deleted all references to uniting with South Korea from its constitution, according to a document seen by AFP on Wednesday, a move interpreted as Pyongyang’s push for a more hostile policy toward Seoul.
A clause stating that North Korea aimed “to realise the unification of the motherland” no longer appears in the latest version of the constitution, which was shared at a news conference held at South Korea’s Unification Ministry.
The development comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un labelled Seoul as the “most hostile state” in a policy address in March.
The revised constitution, which the document indicated was introduced in March, also includes a new clause delineating North Korea’s territory.
Using South Korea’s official name, it says that includes the area bordering China and Russia to the north, “and the Republic of Korea to the south”.
North Korea “absolutely does not allow any infringement on its territory”, it added.
