South Korea says it will continue pursuing its “peaceful coexistence” policy toward North Korea, despite Pyongyang’s recent constitutional revisions. In a statement, the presidential office (Cheong Wa Dae) says the government will conduct a comprehensive review of the details of North Korea’s constitutional change. After the review, Seoul says it will consistently carry out its peaceful coexistence approach for the Korean Peninsula.
The North Korean revised constitution was released to Seoul by the South’s unification ministry the day before the presidential office statement. Sources describe the revision as reflecting leader Kim Jong-un’s policy direction announced in 2023, which treats South Korea as a separate country rather than a partner for eventual unification. The updated constitution removes language from the previous version that called for achieving Korean unification, and it newly defines North Korean territory without referencing the South.
The reports also note that, while the revision reflects a distancing from the South, it stops short of explicitly labeling the South as an enemy in the wording described. Overall, Seoul’s response focuses on review and continuation of its existing policy framework rather than immediate policy shifts.
