Ким Чен Ын. Фото: ЦТАК.
Kim Jong Un has updated North Korea’s Constitution, Yonhap reported. The changes concern the definition of the country’s territory, the powers of the head of state and the internal structure.
North Korea now defines its territory as lands bordering China, Russia and South Korea, including territorial waters and airspace.
All references to Korean reunification have also been removed from the basic law, including terms such as “peaceful reunification” and “great national unity”. Mentions of the achievements of the late founder of the state Kim Il Sung and the late father of the current leader Kim Jong Il have also been removed from the document.
The new version of the Constitution has elevated Kim Jong Un’s status, designating him as head of state and, for the first time, placing him above the Supreme People’s Assembly. He is also granted the authority to command nuclear forces and delegate these powers.
Provisions on free healthcare, a tax-free state and the absence of unemployment have also been removed.