Saturday, 10 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Analysis-Kim Jong Un’s ‘decapitation’ fears shine through in new N.Korea nuclear law
World

Analysis-Kim Jong Un’s ‘decapitation’ fears shine through in new N.Korea nuclear law

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Analysis-Kim Jong Un’s ‘decapitation’ fears shine through in new N.Korea nuclear law
SHARE
Reuters

Josh Smith

September 9, 2022, 7:41 AM

By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) – A new North Korean law calls for “automatic” nuclear launches if the country’s leadership or command and control systems are threatened, underscoring leader Kim Jong Un’s fears of a so-called “decapitation” strike, experts said.

In an updated nuclear policy law passed on Thursday, North Korea enshrined the right to use preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself, with Kim saying the legislation makes the country’s nuclear status “irreversible” and bars denuclearisation talks.

The law outlines when North Korea could use its nuclear weapons, including if there is an attack on the government’s leadership or the nuclear command and control system.

“In case the command and control system over the state nuclear forces is placed in danger owing to an attack by hostile forces, a nuclear strike shall be launched automatically and immediately to destroy the hostile forces,” the law states, according to state news agency KCNA.

Kim has “monolithic command” over the nuclear forces, but the law’s wording may indicate that if he is killed, a senior official would be designated to authorize nuclear strikes, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“The basic idea here is to communicate to the United States and South Korea that decapitating the North Korean leadership would not spare them nuclear retaliation,” he said, noting that there are precedents in other nuclear states, including the United States during the Cold War.

Both the United States and Russia have employed technical systems, including the Soviet Union’s infamous “Dead Hand,” designed to ensure nuclear retaliation even if leaders are killed.

For now, that sort of “fail deadly” system in North Korea seems unlikely, Panda said.

“I would expect, for the moment, the fail deadly system would rely on organizational steps: for instance, the First Secretary of the Workers’ Party could confirm that Kim Jong Un had been killed in the course of a conflict, thereby authorizing the release of nuclear weapons,” he said.

Although South Korea and the United States say they do not seek to change North Korea’s government by force, both countries have war plans that imply strikes against Pyongyang’s leadership.

Amid the “fire and fury” tensions of 2017 the Trump administration insisted it had no intention of launching a “bloody nose strike” against Kim, but had privately reviewed and updated war plans for a decapitation strike, according to a book by journalist Bob Woodward.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has publicly given new emphasis to the so-called “Kill Chain” system to counter a North Korean nuclear attack, and is pouring resources into boosting the weapons that would be used under such plans, including F-35A stealth fighters and missiles launched from submarines.

First developed a decade ago as North Korea ramped up its nuclear development, Kill Chain calls for preemptive strikes against the North’s missiles and possibly its senior leadership if an attack appears imminent.

In his speech discussing the new law on Thursday, Kim cited Kill Chain and its related strategies by name, saying they justify North Korea’s nuclear development.

“This would seemingly warn away any notions of ‘bloody nose’ strikes, assuming any administration contemplates that again,” Rob York, director for regional affairs at the Hawaii-based Pacific Forum, said of the new law.

(Reporting by Josh Smith. Editing by Gerry Doyle)

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Ukraine claws back some territory; nuclear plant in peril Ukraine claws back some territory; nuclear plant in peril
Next Article US sanctions Iranian ‘persons’ involved in shipping drones to Russia US sanctions Iranian ‘persons’ involved in shipping drones to Russia

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Biden-Putin summit on the table — if Russia doesn’t invade Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine — U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Mulyana Transforms Plastic Yarn and Netting into Arresting Ocean Textures

From 1000's of plastic baggage, discarded nets, and hanks of yarn, Indonesian artist Mulyana (beforehand)…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Latvia Topples Soviet World War II Monument in Swipe at Russia

The Daily BeastSurvivors of Syrian Massacre Beg World Not to Forget Assad’s War CrimesReutersA new…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Sam Asghari calls Iran government ‘terrorists’ in strongly worded Instagram video

Sam Asghari has shared an impassioned message with his fans amid ongoing protests in Iran…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Rümeysa Öztürk, detained Tufts pupil, launched from federal custody – because it occurred
World

Rümeysa Öztürk, detained Tufts pupil, launched from federal custody – because it occurred

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Two males discovered responsible of felling Sycamore Hole tree
World

Two males discovered responsible of felling Sycamore Hole tree

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
‘Stealing joy’: the unhappiness and symbolism of the crime at Sycamore Hole
World

‘Stealing joy’: the unhappiness and symbolism of the crime at Sycamore Hole

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Pope Leo XIV holds first mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel – reside
World

Pope Leo XIV holds first mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel – reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?