According to a report by the North Korean specialized media outlet “NK News” on the 23rd (local time), Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of North Korea, reportedly issued a directive ordering the dismantling of the “Arch of Reunification.”
“NK News,” after analyzing commercial satellite images, reported that the monument, whose existence had been confirmed on the 19th, disappeared by the morning of the 23rd, implying that it was dismantled during this period.
While General Secretary Kim made a speech on his policies at the 10th session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly on the 15th, he declared that the inter-Korean relationship has fundamentally transitioned to one of state-to-state and directed the dismantling of the “Arch of Reunification” located in Pyongyang.
The Three Charters for National Reunification is a concept that was developed in 1997 to synthesize North Korea’s historical principles, directions, and plans for reunification. It includes the “Plan for the Establishment of the Democratic Federal Republic of Korea” and the “Ten Point Program of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation,” both of which were purportedly written by President Kim Il-sung.
This is the first time North Korea has taken actions that reverse the South Korea and unification-related positions that the predecessors had established, especially demolishing the monument that had been promoted as the accomplishment of President Kim’s predecessors.
In addition to the dismantlement of the monument, General Secretary Kim also ordered in his policy speech that the whole northern section of the Gyeongui Line be physically severed.
Moreover, he directed the removal of phrases from the constitution to be reviewed at the next Supreme People’s Assembly, including “northern half,” “independence,” “peaceful unification,” and “great national unity,” among others, stating, “The necessity to fortify education to view the Republic of Korea as the foremost and unchangeable adversary should be reflected in the constitution.”
By. SaeRim Park
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