Nicolai Haugsted
The weapons will automatically be triggered – and apparently Iran is to blame for the new law.
North Korea has quietly rewritten one of the most dangerous parts of its nuclear doctrine — and military analysts believe recent events in Iran may have pushed Kim Jong Un toward the decision.
A newly adopted law now reportedly allows Pyongyang to launch a nuclear strike automatically if the country’s leadership structure comes under attack or Kim himself is killed.
Nuclear retaliation no longer requires approval
Changes to North Korea’s nuclear policy were approved during the latest session of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang, according to reports citing South Korean intelligence briefings.
Under the revised rules, nuclear weapons could be launched immediately if hostile forces threaten the country’s command system.
Security analysts say the move effectively creates a “dead hand” mechanism designed to guarantee retaliation even if North Korea’s top leadership is eliminated.
Military experts warn that such a doctrine dramatically raises the stakes surrounding any future confrontation involving Pyongyang.
Iran reportedly triggered alarm in Pyongyang
According to reports discussed by The Telegraph, North Korean officials became increasingly alarmed after watching how rapidly US and Israeli operations targeted key figures inside Iran.
Professor Andrei Lankov of Kookmin University in Seoul reportedly believes the Iranian situation deeply unsettled North Korea’s leadership.
Pyongyang allegedly fears precision strikes against its own command structure and now wants to ensure any attack against Kim Jong Un would immediately trigger catastrophic consequences.
Unlike Iran, however, North Korea remains extraordinarily isolated from the outside world.
Foreign visitors are heavily restricted, borders remain tightly sealed and intelligence collection inside the country is notoriously difficult.
Kim expanding nuclear capabilities at sea
Concerns are also growing over North Korea’s expanding military modernization.
Recent reports indicate Kim personally inspected the country’s first nuclear-capable warship, named Choe Hyon, ahead of its expected deployment later this year.
Weapons analysts believe Pyongyang is trying to move nuclear launch capabilities beyond land-based systems and into naval operations involving both warships and submarines.
Such a shift would make it significantly harder for the United States or South Korea to neutralize North Korean launch platforms before missiles could be fired.
Arsenal continues to grow
International watchdogs also warn North Korea’s nuclear production has accelerated sharply.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently expressed concern over growing activity at the Yongbyon nuclear complex.
Estimates suggest North Korea currently possesses around 50 nuclear warheads, while enough fissile material may already exist for dozens more.
South Korean assessments earlier this year indicated the North could now be producing enough material annually to manufacture between 10 and 20 additional nuclear weapons.
At the same time, reports suggest Pyongyang is preparing to deploy new long-range artillery systems near the South Korean border capable of reaching central Seoul.
