N. Korea defines ruler’s powers

The constitution also declared for the first time that North Korea “respects and protects’’ the human rights of its citizens and expunged the term communism from its text.

Analysts saw the changes as signs that one of the last holdouts from the former communist bloc was trying to improve its international image in an effort to engage the United States and that the ailing Kim was trying to burnish his legacy.

North Korea revised its constitution in April, when its rubber-stamp Parliament reelected Kim as chairman of the National Defense Commission amid uncertainty over his health. But the outside world was kept in the dark about details of the amendment until yesterday, when South Korea released what it called the text of the North Korean Constitution.

The new constitution defines one of several titles Kim holds - chairman of the National Defense Commission - as supreme leader of the country. Though Kim has ruled as an undisputed leader, the constitutional revision marks the first time he has acquired such an official designation since the death of his father, President Kim Il-sung, in 1994.

The chairman “oversees the entire national business,’’ appointing important military figures, ratifying or abrogating treaties with foreign nations, appointing special envoys, and declaring states of emergency or war, the new constitution says.

The government of South Korea declined to comment, saying it was still scrutinizing the changes. But analysts said Kim was reasserting his rule by stamping his imprint on the constitution at a time when doubt persisted at home and abroad about his health and his grip on power.

Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke last year. In recent months, American and South Korean officials have acknowledged he has recovered enough to call the shots in Pyongyang.

“After he overcame his health crisis, Kim Jong-il revised the constitution to show that he was in control and was the person the United States must deal with,’’ said Kim Yong-hyun, a North Korea analyst at Dongguk University in Seoul. “By mentioning human rights and giving up communism, which sounded hollow to his people after the collapse of the Eastern bloc, he is also trying to show that he is a flexible leader sensitive to the changing world order.’’

The constitutional revision does little to add to his absolute grip on power, said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst at Sejong Institute in South Korea. Kim is already head of the ruling Workers’ Party and the People’s Army. The new constitution defines a “socialist’’ system, though it abandoned “communism.’’

Kim Jong-il’s third son, Kim Jong-un, is reportedly being groomed as his successor, Cheong said.