It was recently revealed that North Korea has revised the country's supreme law (koreaherald.com).
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korea-Studies at the University of Oslo, these changes mean that much of North Korea's socialist tradition has now disappeared.
"The country is no longer a socialist project, but an 'ordinary state' with a mixed economy - in practice, capitalism," he argues.
Tikhonov emphasises that this change has occurred gradually over several years, but that it has now been formalised through the constitutional revision.
No longer fighting for reunification
One of the most striking changes concerns how North Korea now refers to its neighbour to the south.
Previously, the regime in Pyongyang did not recognise South Korea as a sovereign state. Officially, it was described as "the southern part of North Korea" and labelled an "unliberated area."
The country is now referred to as the "Republic of Korea" and defined as an independent, foreign state. The previous provision stating that North Korea "strives to achieve the reunification of the motherland" has been removed from the constitution.
"The idea of 'liberating' and absorbing South Korea is gone. The entire understanding of what 'Korea' is has changed in Pyongyang," says Tikhonov.
At the Workers' Party congress in February this year, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un stated that North Korea "has absolutely nothing to do with South Korea and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots." (hani.co.kr).
Tikhonov believes this reflects North Korea's increasingly hostile attitude toward South Korea.
"In recent years, North Korea has increasingly stated that it no longer regards itself as part of the same nation as South Korea. That also reflects reality, as the differences between the two countries continue to grow."
Goodbye socialism
The revision also removes several of the ideological pillars that once defined North Korea.
Until now, the constitution prohibited the taxation of citizens. This provision has now been removed, as has the guarantee of free health care for all.
In addition, the term "socialism" has been removed.
"Right up until recently, it was ideologically important for North Korea to build a welfare state based on Soviet principles. That is no longer the case," says Tikhonov.
He argues that North Korea is no longer an "apostle of socialism," but is instead actively working to become integrated into the global market economy.
From socialist state to nuclear state
As socialism is downplayed, the country's nuclear weapons programme is assuming an ever more central role.
The constitution now states that North Korea "shall continue to develop nuclear weapons with the goal of preventing war," and that Kim Jong Un bears ultimate responsibility for the nuclear arsenal.
In addition, the country has adopted a separate law stipulating that if Kim Jong Un is killed by a foreign power, it will automatically trigger nuclear strikes in response.
"North Korea now defines itself as a nuclear state, and nuclear weapons have become the country's main marker of identity," says Tikhonov.
He believes this is intended as a clear message to the United States.
"North Korea is saying to the US: If you try to treat us like Iran, the nuclear missiles will be launched toward Manhattan - and then we shall see whether you can stop them."
The gap between North and South is increasing
The constitutional changes also mirror a deeper development, according to Tikhonov. North and South Korea are becoming increasingly different - culturally as well.
Among other things, the languages spoken in the two countries are evolving in different directions.
"If you are South Korean, you may no longer be able to understand everything a North Korean says. In South Korea, the language is full of English loanwords, whereas in North Korea they use far more Chinese-derived words," Tikhonov explains.
In recent years, South Korean popular culture has become a global phenomenon, known as Hallyu - the Korean Wave (britannica.com). Very little of this pop culture from the South reaches people in the North.
"If you are caught listening to K-pop in Pyongyang, you end up in prison," says Tikhonov.
In North Korea, only old Soviet, some Russian, and Chinese cultural products are allowed to pass through state censorship.
"Worldviews, everyday life and traditions are now completely different in the two countries, and there is nothing to suggest that this will change any time soon," says Tikhonov.
The war in Ukraine has boosted the economy
In recent years, North Korea has experienced an unexpected economic upswing, largely because of the war in Ukraine. The country is selling large quantities of ammunition to Russia.
"Russia's war has turned into a goldmine for North Korea. The North Korean arms industry now has full order books for several years to come," says Tikhonov.
According to him, revenue from arms exports has made everyday life noticeably better for ordinary North Koreans.
"Life in 2026 is far better than it was in 2010 for the average North Korean. People have more money and better access to new technology - in short, a higher standard of living."
Tikhonov believes this increased prosperity has strengthened Kim Jong Un's position, and that he now appears to be a popular leader among many North Koreans.
"Although it may sound very strange to us, Kim Jong Un is apparently quite a popular leader among his compatriots. Most North Koreans believe that he has made the country stronger and more prosperous."
