North Korea Declares South Korea a ‘Hostile State’ in Constitutional Update
North Korea has officially declared South Korea a “hostile” state in its revised constitution, acknowledging legal changes introduced by leader Kim Jong Un earlier this year. This constitutional update marks a significant shift in the North’s formal stance toward its southern neighbor, reflecting escalating tensions between the two Koreas.
The announcement followed North Korea’s destruction of key roads and railways linking the two countries. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) characterized these actions as a “legitimate and necessary measure,” aligning with the newly amended constitution that now explicitly defines the Republic of Korea (ROK) as a hostile state.
Rising Tensions Between the Koreas
Relations between North and South Korea have deteriorated sharply. Earlier this year, Kim Jong Un declared Seoul the North’s “principal enemy” and dismissed any interest in reunification. The recent destruction of transportation links is part of a broader effort to fully sever ties, which KCNA referred to as a “phased complete separation” of North Korea’s sovereign territory from that of the South.
Constitutional Amendments Confirmed
Last week, North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament held a key meeting to officially amend the country’s constitution, confirming the changes Kim Jong Un had called for. However, state media provided no further information on the specifics of these legal updates. Previously, under a 1991 inter-Korean agreement, relations between the two Koreas were described as a “special relationship” aimed at eventual reunification, rather than as two sovereign states.
Accusations of Drone Use and Propaganda
In addition to reinforcing the border, North Korea has accused Seoul of deploying drones to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. In response, Kim Jong Un convened a security meeting to devise an “immediate military action” plan. Although Seoul’s military initially denied the use of drones, they later refused to comment further.
Sending propaganda northwards is not new for activists in South Korea, who have traditionally used balloons to carry leaflets. In recent years, drone technology has become a tool for these efforts, making it harder to detect these activities.
North Korea has also deployed drones southwards, with five North Korean drones crossing the border in 2022. This prompted South Korea to fire warning shots and launch fighter jets, although they were unable to shoot down any of the drones.
