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The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the country's National Assembly has amended the Constitution, defining South Korea as a "hostile country".
“This is an inevitable and legitimate measure taken in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of the DPRK, which clearly defines the Republic of Korea as a hostile state, and due to the grave security situation that is approaching the brink of an unpredictable war due to the hostile forces’ grave political and military provocations,” KCNA stressed.
North Korea's state news agency also confirmed that roads and railways linking the two Koreas are now completely blocked after Pyongyang blew up sections of the road symbolizing inter-Korean relations on October 15.
Pyongyang argues that blowing up these border lines is a legitimate action against a hostile state, as defined in the Constitution.
KCNA reported: A 60-meter stretch of roads and railways at the border has now been completely blocked in the phased separation of North Korea's territory from South Korea.
The North Korean news agency also quoted a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying that Pyongyang will take further steps to firmly reinforce its southern border.
Earlier in January, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for a constitutional amendment that would remove the goal of unification with South Korea and clearly define North Korea's territorial borders.
Last week, North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly met for two days to discuss amending the Constitution to officially designate South Korea as a separate country and its main enemy. North Korean state media has not reported on the specific results of the meeting.
South Korea has declared its policy of continuing to pursue unification but will respond with force if North Korea takes any aggressive action.
Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated since 2023, when both sides declared a 2018 agreement to ease military tensions no longer valid.
In recent days, North Korea has accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace and vowed to retaliate. South Korea has neither denied nor confirmed that it was behind the incident.
On October 15, the South Korean military fired warning shots in response to North Korean road and rail explosions.
