North Korea has officially defined South Korea as a "hostile state" in its constitution, according to state media reports, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two Koreas. This is the first public disclosure of the country’s recent constitutional revisions.

The ruling party’s newspaper, Rodong Sinmun , described the amendment as an "inevitable and legitimate measure," reflecting the North's increasingly confrontational stance. The move comes during one of the highest points of tension between the nations in years.

As part of these heightened hostilities, North Korea on Tuesday destroyed roads and railways that connected it to the South, a gesture widely interpreted as a step toward complete isolation from its southern neighbor. State media explained the demolition as part of a "step-by-step implementation to thoroughly separate" the two Koreas.

While this constitutional change marks a new phase in the North’s official stance, some analysts view it as largely symbolic. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had already renounced the possibility of Korean unification in December 2023, signaling a sharp departure from previous North Korean rhetoric that emphasized reunification.

The newly codified status of South Korea as a "hostile state" adds to the ongoing diplomatic and military tensions on the peninsula, with no immediate signs of de-escalation in sight.