North Korea Labels South Korea a “Hostile State”

North Korea Labels South Korea a “Hostile State”

North Korea has officially designated South Korea as a “hostile state” in a recent amendment to its constitution. This designation follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s earlier statement declaring South Korea a separate country and a primary enemy. The North’s state media, KCNA, reported the decision on Thursday (Oct 17).

Road and Rail Links Severed

As part of its actions against South Korea, North Korea has completely blocked all road and rail connections between the two countries. Large sections of these links were destroyed in explosions on Tuesday. KCNA justified this action as legitimate retaliation against a hostile state, as defined by the DPRK Constitution.

Symbolism of the Destruction

Political scientist Meredith Shaw notes that North Korea has a history of demolishing structures as a symbolic gesture. The destruction of these roads and railways, once symbols of cooperation and detente, sends a clear message that North Korea is no longer interested in pursuing that path.

South Korea’s Response

South Korea has maintained its policy of pursuing national unification, while reserving the right to respond with force to any aggression from North Korea. The South Korean government has expressed disappointment over the severance of inter-Korean links and the designation of South Korea as a hostile state.

Historical Context

The escalation of tensions between North and South Korea has been brewing for months, with both sides engaging in tit-for-tat actions. The latest move by North Korea represents a significant step towards a complete separation of the two Koreas.

Constitutional Amendment

North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly convened a plenary session last week to amend the constitution. While initial expectations were that the amendment would formally reflect Kim Jong Un’s declaration on South Korea, state media had not reported any such change until Thursday’s announcement.

Push for “Two-State” System

In addition to cutting off inter-Korean links, North Korea has also stated its intention to create a “two-state” system, abandoning its longstanding goal of unification. This shift in policy reflects a deepening divide between the two Koreas and the potential for increased regional instability.