The constitution consists of seven chapters and 172 articles and codifies North Korea's basic principles on politics, economy, culture and national defense, the basic rights and duties of the country's citizens, the organization of the North Korean government and the country's national symbols.

North Korea is also governed by the Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System, which some claim have come to supersede the constitution and in practice serve as the supreme law of the country.

[4][7] Kim Il Sung said in a report during the meeting that there was a need to codify the "socialist revolution and construction" and their achievements in the constitution.

[8] The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been amended eleven times: in 1992, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, April 2019, August 2019, 2023 and 2024.

The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea consists of a preamble and 172 articles organized into seven chapters as of 11 April 2019.

The constitution is considered as unique for combining strong socialist and nationalist tendencies as well as referencing the country's Juche ideology.

[10] The preamble also praises both leaders as the "saviors of the nation" who have worked for Korean reunification, and as "veteran world statesmen" for developing North Korea's foreign relations.

[10] The preamble states that Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il's ideas and achievements are "lasting treasures of the Korean revolution" and the basic guarantee for North Korea's prosperity, while setting up the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun as a monument to the leaders' immortality and a national symbol for Korea.

[11] Article 6 and 7 states that these representatives are elected by the people based on universal, equal and direct suffrage, and are responsible to them.

[11] Article 18 states that the laws of North Korea are the "reflection of the wishes and interests" of the people, and that it should be observed by every institution, enterprise, organization and person in the country.

Article 19 states that North Korea relies on the socialist relations of production and the foundation of an independent national economy.

[12] Article 37 encourages joint ventures with foreign corporations and individuals and the creation of businesses in special economic zones.

[14] Article 59 lists the mission of the North Korean armed forces as to defend the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Un, as well as the interests of the working people, the socialist system, the gains of the revolution and the freedom, peace and independence of the country from foreign aggression.

[14] Chapter 5 of the Socialist Constitution consists of 24 articles that list the rights and duties of citizens(gongmin) in North Korea.

[15] Article 80 provides foreigners fighting for peace, democracy, independence, socialism and freedom of scientific and cultural pursuits with the right to seek asylum in North Korea.

[16] Section 2 describes the President of the SAC-DPRK as the supreme leader of the country, as well as the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

[17] Section 3 describes the State Affairs Commission as the supreme policy-oriented leadership institution consisting of the President, vice-presidents and members.

The SC-SPA consists of the Chairman of the Standing Committee, vice-chairmen of the committee and members assigned from among deputies of the Assembly and has the power to exercise legislative power, convene the Supreme People's Assembly, interpret the constitution, supervise the observance of legislative acts, organize elections, appoint or remove members of the Cabinet and judges and people's assessors of the Central Court, approve or nullify treaties, decide on the appointment and recall of diplomatic representatives to the Republic, institute and confer decorations, medals and honors in the name of the Republic and grant general amnesty.

The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the SPA is tasked to receive the credentials and letters of recall of foreign diplomatic representatives to the Republic upon full consent of the office of the presidency of the SAC.

It also no longer made the President the supreme commander of the armed forces and the chairman of the National Defense Commission.

[24] These provisions allowed for Kim Jong Il to assume the positions of supreme commander of the Korean People's Army on 24 December 1991 and chairman of the National Defense Commission on 9 April 1993.

It removed mentions of Marxism–Leninism in the constitution, and constitutionalized the philosophical principle of Juche with the Workers' Party of Korea being stated to have a leading role in the country's activities.

[24] The amendment also introduced economic provisions aimed at emphasizing an independent national economy and developing science and technology.

It also introduced provisions for joint ventures between the country's institutions, enterprises and organizations and foreign corporations and individuals.

The amendment was seen as an attempt to cement Kim Jong Il's position as concerns were raised following his suffering of a stroke in August 2008.

It designated the chairman of the National Defense Commission as the supreme leader of North Korea and was expanded his powers to guide overall state affairs.

[25] The amendment removed any mention of communism in the constitution and recognized North Korea as a socialist state that is also guided by Kim Jong Il's policy of Songun alongside Juche.

The Socialist Constitution was amended for the eighth and ninth times, respectively, at the 1st and 2nd plenary sessions of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly on 11 April and 29 August 2019.

The defense of the Party Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un was included in the mission of the Korean People's Army and its reserve organizations.

The official report published by the Korean Central News Agency mentioned changes to voting and working ages.