Pyongyang: North Korea convened a session of its Supreme People’s Assembly this week, according to state-run KCNA, though there was no confirmation of any official shift in its stance on unification with South Korea. The Korean Peninsula has witnessed increased tensions this year, spurred by a series of missile tests and Pyongyang’s efforts to redefine its relationship with the South.
Speculation has been widespread that the rubber-stamp parliament might amend the constitution to remove references to unification between the two Koreas, following remarks made by leader Kim Jong Un in January. In his speech, Kim declared that unification with South Korea was no longer feasible, accusing Seoul of pursuing regime collapse and unification by absorption.
However, KCNA’s report made no mention of any such constitutional changes, nor did it reference any law designating South Korea as a “primary foe” or similar language clarifying border definitions. This comes as the relationship between the two neighbors remains fraught with tension.
In a separate report, KCNA stated that North Korea’s military would completely sever road and railway connections with South Korea starting Wednesday, further heightening the strained atmosphere.
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There has also been speculation that North Korea could formally alter its constitution to redefine its borders, including the contentious maritime boundaries. These borders, particularly the Northern Limit Line (NLL) drawn by a U.S. commander at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, were established to prevent naval clashes along the peninsula’s coasts but were not explicitly mentioned in the armistice agreement.
The waters near the disputed NLL have been the site of numerous violent confrontations, including naval skirmishes and the 2010 sinking of a South Korean corvette, which is widely believed to have been caused by a North Korean torpedo. The incident claimed the lives of 46 sailors.
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During the latest session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, KCNA reported amendments to the constitution that focused on changing the working and voting ages, as well as passing new laws aimed at industry and the economy. No Kwang Chol was named as the new defense minister. Notably, leader Kim Jong Un was absent from the list of attendees.
