# North Korea constitutional reforms and nuclear policy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-korea-revises-constitution-to-cement-nuclear-stance-and-foreign-partnerships > Updated: 2026-05-31T03:21:53.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 11. In early May 2026 North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly amended the constitution, first removing any reference to Korean reunification and redefining the state’s territory. The same wave of revisions elevated Kim Jong un’s status and inserted clauses that enshrine the country as a nuclear‑armed state. Later in May the regime added a “dead‑man switch” provision that would trigger an automatic nuclear strike if the leadership or command system were attacked, further cementing a deterrence posture. The same period saw Pyongyang publicly refuse to join the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, reiterating that its nuclear status is constitutionally guaranteed. Concurrently, North Korea deepened its strategic partnership with Russia: Kim Jong Un sent a Victory Day congratulatory message, Russian and North Korean troops appeared together in Moscow’s parade, and the foreign minister later declared a shared strategic outlook on all issues. The relationship was highlighted by joint statements and ceremonies at the Russian embassy in Pyongyang. By late May, Kim ordered the fortification of the southern border, describing the frontline as an “impregnable fortress.” The cumulative reforms reflect a shift toward formalising nuclear deterrence, automating retaliation, and aligning closely with Moscow while abandoning the reunification narrative. ## Timeline ### 2026-05-31: North Korea says it shares Russia's strategic outlook North Korean foreign minister Choe Son-hui declared that DPRK and Russia share the same strategic outlook, pledging deeper cooperation at a ceremony honoring former Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-says-it-shares-russias-strategic-outlook ### 2026-05-31: North Korea says it shares a common strategic stance with Russia North Korea’s foreign minister said Pyongyang and Russia share a common position on all strategic issues, pledging deeper cooperation at a memorial ceremony for the late Russian ambassador. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-says-it-shares-a-common-strategic-stance-with-russia ### 2026-05-18: Kim Jong Un orders fortified border defenses against South Korea Kim Jong Un orders fortified border defenses and modern training to make the North Korean frontier an “impregnable fortress.” 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kim-jong-un-orders-fortified-border-defenses-against-south-korea ### 2026-05-11: North Korea Codifies Nuclear Deterrence in Draft Constitution North Korea's draft constitution formalizes nuclear command and automatic retaliation, tightening its deterrence posture. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-embeds-nuclear-command-in-its-constitution-amid-rising-global-nuclear-tensions ### 2026-05-11: North Korea adds automatic nuclear strike clause to its constitution North Korea amends its constitution to trigger an automatic nuclear strike if its leadership or command is attacked. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-adds-automatic-nuclear-strike-clause-to-its-constitution ### 2026-05-11: North Korean troops join Russia's Victory Day parade, underscoring deepening military ties North Korean troops marched in Moscow's Victory Day parade, highlighting a new level of military cooperation with Russia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korean-troops-join-russias-victory-day-parade-underscoring-deepening-military-ties ### 2026-05-10: North Korea embeds automatic nuclear retaliation trigger into constitution North Korea rewrote its constitution to trigger an immediate nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated, removing human approval. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-embeds-automatic-nuclear-retaliation-trigger-into-constitution ### 2026-05-08: Kim Jong Un Reaffirms North Korea–Russia Strategic Partnership on Victory Day Kim Jong Un reiterates North Korea’s top‑priority partnership with Russia on Victory Day, pledging to uphold their mutual‑defence treaty. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kim-jong-un-reaffirms-north-korearussia-strategic-partnership-on-victory-day ### 2026-05-06: North Korea Refuses to Join Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, Reaffirms Nuclear Status North Korea says the NPT is non‑binding and will not join, reaffirming its nuclear‑armed status. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-refuses-to-join-nuclear-nonproliferation-treaty-reaffirms-nuclear-status ### 2026-05-06: North Korea deletes reunification goal from its constitution North Korea has removed the reunification pledge from its constitution, prompting varied expert analysis. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-deletes-reunification-goal-from-its-constitution ### 2026-05-06: North Korea drops reunification goal from constitution, defines separate state North Korea's new constitution eliminates reunification language, defines separate territory and reinforces Kim's nuclear leadership. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-drops-reunification-goal-from-constitution-defines-separate-state --- Cite as: North Korea constitutional reforms and nuclear policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-korea-revises-constitution-to-cement-nuclear-stance-and-foreign-partnerships