North Korea has amended its constituion to mandate a culear strike in case Kim Jong-un is assassinated. The revised Article 3 of the nuclear policy law states: “If the command-and-control system over the state’s nuclear forces is placed in danger by hostile forces’ attacks a nuclear strike shall be launched automatically and immediately.”
Iran as a wake up call
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and many of his closest advisors were murdered in strikes at the beginning of the joint US-Israeli attacks against the regime in Tehran, which prompted the shift. The 15th Supreme People’s Assembly convened in Pyongyang on March 22 and adopted the modification during its first session. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea revealed it to senior government officials on Thursday.
According to the NIS briefing, Kim has command of the North’s nuclear forces, but the changes codify procedures for retaliatory attacks in the event that he is incapacitated or killed.
Kim is particularly known for his strict safety and security measures. North Korea is effectively sealed so surveillance is comparatively difficult for North Korea as compared to Iran. In addition, Kim avoids flying and travels with a heavily armoured train for his protection. Thus, an attack on North Korea would be harder than that on Iran.
In the past countries like the Soviet Union have adopted similar strategies whereby strikes were to be launched in case the country’s top administration was dismissed. Nonetheless, North Korea’s strategy is more stringent and is designed to protect a single individual instead of being based on state survival.
North Korea’s vulnerability
Donald Trump’s hostile posture towards Iran and Venezuela has deepened North Korea’s fear and uncertainty. US has been a strong ally of South Korea and has consistently aided South Korea’s military efforts. Thus, Kim Jong-un has been been prompted to take stringent measures to ensure his safety. However, the move poses a serious threat to the neighboring countries i.e. Japan, South Korea and China. The amendment reveals how Kim Jong-un’s self-preservation is central to the foreign policy of the country. On the flip side, the strategy can act as a deterrent and raise the stakes for confrontation in case a conflict occurs between the US and North Korea.
International Implications:
1. Vulnerability of neighbours:
North Korea’s neighbors particularly Japan, South Korea and China. In case nuclear missiles are deployed, the neighboring countries will be the first ones affected and this could trigger a chain reaction, with the conflict escalating in minutes.
2. Effective deterrence:
The strategy can also prove to be an effective deterrent for North Korea’s enemies, effectively stopping them from taking a strong response and decrease the chances of conflict.
3. Increased uncertainty in South-East Asia:
This will create an overall situation of fear in South-East Asia, prompting other nations to take similar measures thereby creating a security dilemma.
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