North Korea Adopts Constitutional Amendment to Enshrine Nuclear Policy
September 28, 2023
North Korea has officially adopted a constitutional amendment to enshrine its policy on nuclear force, according to state media reports on Thursday. The amendment comes after the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, pledged to accelerate the production of nuclear weapons as a deterrent against what he calls U.S. provocations.
The Supreme People’s Assembly unanimously adopted the revision, which states that North Korea “develops highly nuclear weapons to ensure” its “rights to existence” and to “deter war,” according to the state news agency KCNA. The adoption took place after a two-day meeting of the North’s rubber-stamp parliament.
During the parliament session, Kim emphasized the significance of the country’s nuclear force-building policy and declared it as the “basic law of the state,” which no one is allowed to ignore. Kim also stressed the need to exponentially boost the production of nuclear weapons, diversify the nuclear strike means, and deploy them in different services.
The adoption of the constitutional amendment by North Korea has sparked concerns among its neighboring countries. South Korea’s unification ministry stated that the revised constitution shows Pyongyang’s strong determination to not abandon its nuclear program. However, it also warned that North Korea would face the end of its regime if it uses nuclear weapons.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, expressed similar concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. He stated that it poses threats to the peace and safety of Japan and the international community, and cannot be tolerated.
The amendment comes one year after North Korea officially enshrined the right to use preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself in its laws. This move was deemed by Kim as making its nuclear status “irreversible.”
Kim also called for further solidarity with nations standing against the United States and denounced trilateral cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan as the “Asian-version NATO.” He emphasized that the threat posed by the U.S. military drills and deployment of strategic assets in the region is real and not just rhetoric.
The announcement of the adoption of the constitutional amendment comes after Kim’s recent trip to Russia, where he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to boost military and economic cooperation. U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concerns that Pyongyang might seek technological help for its nuclear and missile programs from Moscow.
Analysts interpret the inclusion of the nuclear policy in North Korea’s constitution as a symbolic move, indicating the country’s intention to have a permanent nuclear force that it will not negotiate over. They anticipate that this development will intensify the new Cold War in the Northeast Asia region and further escalate military tensions on the Korean peninsula.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also issued a warning to North Korea, stating that an “overwhelming response” awaits if the country uses nuclear weapons. In a show of force, South Korea held its first large-scale military parade in a decade on Tuesday.
In addition to the nuclear policy announcement, North Korean state media reported on Wednesday that Pyongyang had decided to expel U.S. soldier Private Travis King, who had run into North Korea in July. The U.S. confirmed that Private King is now in American custody and will be sent home after being expelled to China.
Kim also highlighted the pressing need for a major revamp of North Korea’s economy during the parliament session. He urged the agricultural sector to work harder to promote the well-being of the people. The country has experienced serious food shortages in recent decades, exacerbated by natural disasters and border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The adoption of the constitutional amendment solidifies North Korea’s commitment to its nuclear program and has raised concerns among neighboring countries about regional stability and security. The international community will closely watch for further developments and potential responses to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi and Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo; Editing by Ed Davies, Josie Kao, Lincoln Feast & Simon Cameron-Moore