Friday, September 25, 2009

Charter to boost authority of Kim Jong Il

South Korea is analysing changes to North Korea's constitution which apparently strengthen the authority of leader Kim Jong Il.

"The government has obtained the full text of the North's constitution and is currently studying it," unification ministry spokesman Lee Jong Ju told a briefing.

Radio Free Asia said the new constitution for the first time drops the use of the term "communism." It refers instead to the "songun" policy of Mr Kim Jong Il and the "juche" philosophy promoted by his father and founding president Kim Il Sung.

Songun, a military-first policy, prioritises the welfare of soldiers over civilians. Juche calls for self-reliance in national affairs.

North Korea decided to revise its constitution at a parliamentary meeting in April.

AFP

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