North Korea has scrapped its longstanding goal of reuniting with South Korea, revising its constitution to formally recognize itself as a separate nation. The change, disclosed by South Korea's Ministry of Unification, marks a definitive shift in Pyongyang's approach to inter-Korean relations after decades of rhetoric about eventual reunification.

The revised constitution explicitly defines the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's territory as extending from the border with China and Russia to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, effectively codifying the existence of two distinct Korean states. This formalization suggests Kim Jong Un is prioritizing regime stability over previous unification ambitions that dated back to the peninsula's post-WWII division.

Experts view this as part of North Korea's broader effort to project normality on the world stage. Christopher Green of the International Crisis Group noted that typical nations define adversaries in defense documents, not constitutional text. The move signals Pyongyang's acceptance of permanent division, ending a foundational promise of the North Korean state.