The leader of the DPRK is hesitating in case of an attempt, according to Western experts.
On September 8, North Korea officially declared itself a nuclear state, securing the right to use nuclear weapons at the legislative level. One of the provisions of the legal document is the obligation to launch a strike in response to the attempt or assassination of the country's leader, Kim Jong-un. This is reported by Reuters.
According to the new law, North Korea carries out “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 “beheading” strike, experts say.
“If the control system of the state's nuclear forces is threatened by an attack by enemy forces, a nuclear strike is automatically and immediately launched to destroy the enemy forces,” the law states.
Although Kim Jong-un has “sole command” of nuclear forces, the wording of the law indicates that if he is killed, a high-ranking official will be designated to authorize nuclear strikes, said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for international peace.
“The main idea here is to convey to the United States and South Korea that beheading the leadership of North Korea will not save them from nuclear revenge,” he said.
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