50 Years of North Korea's Constitution... "Guaranteeing 'Power Succession' Instead of Basic Rights"

Kim Jong-un Attends Constitutional Ceremony for the First Time Since Taking Power
North Korean Constitution Guarantees Power Succession Instead of Basic Rights
Choe Ryong-hae: "Constitution is a Weapon Driving the Construction of a Strong Nation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, attended the commemorative reporting meeting for the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Constitution. This is the first time he has attended a constitution-related event since coming to power, interpreted as a move aligned with North Korea's recent emphasis on 'governance according to laws and systems.' However, North Korea's rule of law is assessed not as a guarantee of universal values but as a means for the Kim family’s power succession.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 27th that "the commemorative reporting meeting for the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was held on the evening of December 26 at the Mansudae Assembly Hall," and that Chairman Kim directly attended the event.

On the 26th, a commemorative report meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Constitution was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, attended by Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. / Korean Central TV [Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea’s constitution was first enacted in September 1948 under the name Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and has been amended 15 times, including a constitutional revision in August 2019 that strengthened the powers of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. During this process, on December 27, 1972, at the 1st session of the 5th Supreme People's Assembly, the existing constitution was abolished and the Socialist Constitution was adopted. This introduced the position of President as the highest state office and codified the Juche ideology as the governing principle to guarantee the 'Kim Il-sung one-man rule system.' This date was designated as 'Constitution Day,' which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

This is the first time Chairman Kim has attended a constitution commemoration event since coming to power. In contrast, Kim Jong-il, the former Chairman of the National Defense Commission, never attended any constitution-related events during his tenure. This move is interpreted as a demonstration of strong determination to protect the regime, in addition to marking the 50th anniversary of Constitution Day.

An official from the Ministry of Unification also told reporters on the day, "Kim Jong-un’s attendance at the Constitution Day reporting meeting is the first since he took power," and analyzed, "It is believed that two factors were considered together: the significance of the 50th anniversary and North Korea’s recent emphasis on governance according to laws and systems."

On the 26th, a commemorative report meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Constitution was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, attended by Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. / Korean Central TV [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the rule of law emphasized by North Korea differs from that recognized in democratic societies. It is not intended to guarantee universal values such as fundamental rights recognized by the international community but is merely a means to facilitate the power succession of the 'Kim family.'

Previously, after the death of President Kim Il-sung, the Socialist Constitution was renamed the 'Kim Il-sung Constitution,' significantly strengthening the powers of the Chairman of the National Defense Commission. After Kim Jong-il’s death, the constitution was revised to the 'Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il Constitution,' officially naming Kim Jong-il as the 'Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission.'

This point that the 'constitution' serves as a 'means' to secure power is also revealed through Choe Ryong-hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly. In his commemorative report at the event, he praised, "The Republic’s remarkable development is the brilliant fruit of Comrade Kim Jong-un’s outstanding leadership, which clearly illuminated theoretical and practical issues arising from Juche-oriented law construction." He emphasized, "Our constitution will continue to excellently fulfill its historic mission as a weapon that strongly drives the cause of building a powerful nation."

On the 26th, a report meeting commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Constitution was held, and flag-raising ceremonies took place across various regions of North Korea. /Korean Central TV [Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, North Korea uses laws as a means to control its residents. A representative example is the 'Law on Eradicating Reactionary Thought and Culture,' enacted in December 2020. This law includes provisions that punish distributors of South Korean media with the death penalty. In fact, news emerged last October that teenage youths who watched South Korean movies and dramas and distributed them to others were executed by firing squad.

In addition, North Korea plans to hold the Supreme People's Assembly, equivalent to South Korea’s National Assembly, in January next year to discuss adopting the 'Law on Protecting Pyongyang Cultural Language' as a major agenda item. Given recent directives to rename 'South Korean-like' names and crack down on 'South Korean accents,' this is interpreted as an effort to further strengthen control over external cultural influences entering North Korea through legislation.

Regarding this trend, Choe Ryong-hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, evaluated, "As officials and workers maintain a correct awareness of law-abiding and strictly observe the state’s legal norms, and especially as efforts to protect youth from reactionary thought and culture deepen, a patriotic and collectivist social atmosphere is rising throughout the country."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.