Won Gon Park (Chair of North Korea Studies Center, EAI) analyzes the significance of North Korea's constitutionalization of the nuclear force-building policy in September 2023. Park explains that North Korea's persistent drive to elevate its nuclear status reaffirms that its ultimate goal is to communize the entire Korean Peninsula. At the same time, Kim Jong Un hopes to enhance its political legitimacy by establishing a legacy of completing a nuclear force, distinguishing himselffrom his predecessors. Finally, Park assesses that the DPRK regime's aggressive nuclear strategy also signifies Kim Jong Un's lack of confidence in the sustainability of his one-man rule.

■ Won Gon Park is the Chair of EAI Center for North Korea Studies and a Professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University.

■ Typeset by: Jisoo Park, Research Associate
    For inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 208) | jspark@eai.or.kr