North Korea says its revised constitution defines South Korea as a “hostile state” for the first time

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea confirmed Thursday that its newly revised constitution defines South Korea as “a hostile state” for the first time, two days after it blew up unused road and rail links that once linked the country to the South.

North Korea’s parliament met for two days last week to amend the country’s constitution, but state media did not immediately provide many details about the session. Leader Kim Jong Un had called for a constitutional amendment during that parliamentary meeting to designate South Korea as the country’s main enemy, remove the goal of peaceful Korean unification and define the North’s sovereign, territorial sphere .

The official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday that the constitution “clearly defines South Korea as a hostile state” as it reported on the demolition of parts of the northern sections of road and rail links.

KCNA did not provide further details about the constitutional changes.

Kim’s order in January to rewrite the constitution surprised many foreign experts as it was seen as a break with his predecessors’ long-held dreams of peacefully achieving a unified Korea on the North’s terms.

Some experts say Kim likely wants to reduce South Korean cultural influence and strengthen his rule at home. Others say Kim wants legal grounds to launch military attacks on South Korea by defining it as a foreign state, and not as a partner for possible unification. They say Kim may also want to soften South Korea’s voice in the regional nuclear standoff and establish direct ties with the US

Last week, North Korea said it would permanently block the border with South Korea and build defense structures on the front lines. South Korean officials said North Korea has added anti-tank barriers and laid mines along the border since earlier this year.

Friday’s KCNA report quoted the North Korean Defense Ministry as saying North Korea will continue to take measures to permanently fortify its closed southern border.