Unification Ministry spokesman Yun Min Ho, speaking to the media, specifically ruled out the existence of an official initiative aimed at amending the South Korean constitution and officially recognizing North Korea as an independent state. According to Yonhap Agency, the official stressed that “it was not proposed to amend the constitution to recognize North Korea as a state. This was never proposed,” clarifying the institutional position compared to versions recently circulating in South Korean and international media. The ministry’s denial responds to the increase in rumors following a high-level meeting between representatives of Russia and South Korea to analyze issues related to the nuclear context on the Korean Peninsula.
Yonhap reported that speculation about possible constitutional reform had arisen as part of these diplomatic talks and new measures promoted by President Lee Jae Myung to improve bilateral relations in the region. However, the Unification Ministry noted that the measures adopted by the current government to reduce tensions between the North and the South do not involve changing the basic principles of the country’s Magna Carta.
Yonhap Agency reported that South Korea’s constitution states that national sovereignty covers the entire Korean peninsula but precludes recognizing North Korea as an independent entity. This legal framework forms the basis of Seoul’s vision of territorial integrity and eventual reunification with the North. Yun Min Ho’s comments reported by South Korean media reiterate that the possibility of changing the national legal situation due to recent negotiations and diplomatic rapprochement has not been considered by the Cabinet or by any relevant authority.
The political scene in recent days has been dominated by the spread of rumors about a supposedly far-reaching legal change that would alter the international recognition of the North Korean government. According to Yonhap, Seoul authorities consider these reports to be inaccurate or distorted information. The ministry spokesman even urged caution in journalistic reporting on internal affairs and called on the media to avoid spreading unconfirmed versions of possible Magna Carta reforms.
Yonhap media explained that South Korea’s official position is based on the goal of maintaining stability on the peninsula, strengthening security and maintaining a climate that allows managing the risks associated with North Korea’s nuclear program. The executive emphasized, the agency reported, that the steps to facilitate détente and diplomatic exchanges do not result in concessions that imply the legitimacy of North Korea as an independent state.
Various media outlets had raised the possibility that recent diplomatic meetings, particularly those focused on the nuclear issue, would lead to a review of Seoul’s traditional policy toward Pyongyang. However, in response to questions from the press, the Unification Ministry reiterated that public debates or international initiatives do not represent progress toward a formal legal change towards the neighboring country, Yonhap said.
According to the South Korean agency, the authorities noted that the government’s focus remains on promoting dialogue channels that enable the advancement of diplomatic and peaceful processes. Within these strategies, no movement is envisaged that changes the constitutional foundations regarding sovereignty and unification. Government sources cited by Yonhap said that the policy of containing tensions will continue under existing parameters and that international cooperation, even in the current context of contacts with Russian representatives, will not lead to a legal redefinition of relations with North Korea.
The concern of the South Korean authorities regarding the dissemination of information about possible changes in the legal situation has led to repeated statements to dispel any doubts about the scope of the national policy. This is reflected in the position of Yun Min Ho, who emphasized that the various rapprochement initiatives are within the clearly defined boundaries of the current constitution, Yonhap reported.
According to Yonhap, the Unification Ministry reiterated that the institutional situation remains unchanged. That means rejecting any formal recognition that contradicts the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that have historically guided South Korea’s policy toward the North.
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