North Korea officially declares itself a nuclear state: N. Korean leader vows to keep nukes; new law authorizes 'automatic nuclear strike'

PYONGYANG: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has declared itself a nuclear state at the legislative level, Yonhap reports citing the Central Telegraph Agency (CTAC).

The 14th Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, in its September 7th session, formally adopted a decree entitled "Policy on Nuclear Weapons." According to the project, the country will respond with a nuclear strike in the event of an attack on it using similar weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, as well as the imminent threat of such an attack.

The document consists of 11 paragraphs. They contain provisions on the purpose of nuclear weapons, the composition of nuclear forces, command and control over them. In addition, the rules govern issues of enforcement of decisions on the use of nuclear weapons. The decree reveals the principles and conditions for its application, mobilization, safe maintenance and protection, mass strengthening, renewal, and others.

When is the strike possible?

The DPRK may use nuclear weapons when attacked and imminent threat of attack by the enemy using nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

In addition, the law allows the use of nuclear weapons in an attack by hostile nuclear or non-nuclear forces on the leadership of the country and the command of nuclear forces. The response of the DPRK may provoke an attack or its threat on the strategically important objects of the country.

In the event that the command and control system of national nuclear forces is under threat of attack by hostile forces, a nuclear strike will be automatically launched immediately to destroy hostile forces, including the source of the provocation and his command, in accordance with a predetermined plan of operation.

Central Telegraph Agency

The person who single-handedly decides on a nuclear strike is the leader of the country, Kim Jong-un. If the command with him at the head is attacked, then a retaliatory nuclear strike will follow automatically. As the authorities specified, the country's nuclear forces will be maintained in a state of readiness in order to be able to immediately strike if necessary.

Nuclear weapon

In August, North Korea refused to make excuses for possessing nuclear weapons. The Permanent Mission of the DPRK to the UN responded to a number of accusations against the country.

Long ago, the DPRK withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as part of the legal procedure under the relevant article provided for in the document. Accordingly, no one has the right to accuse the DPRK, a nuclear-weapon state that is not a party to the NPT, for exercising its right to self-defense

Permanent Mission of the DPRK to the UN

The head of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Jong Sub, said that the DPRK authorities have increased stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium and uranium for missile warheads by about 10 percent since 2018.

The DPRK also declared its full readiness for a military clash with the United States. In his speech on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), Kim Jong-un warned that the South Korean army "will be destroyed" if they try to attack the DPRK.

In June, it was reported that Pyongyang had completed preparations for testing nuclear weapons - this could happen literally at any moment.

Russia estimates

Sergey Kondratiev, deputy head of the department at the Institute of Energy and Finance, who oversees projects in the nuclear industry, said that North Korea has achieved some success in terms of rocket science, despite the fact that some problems still remain with the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems.

In general, the whole world today supports the trend towards the reduction of nuclear weapons, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but still the likelihood that the country suddenly decides to attack neighboring states is quite low.

US attitude

The American Center for Strategic and International Studies reported that North Korea has completed preparatory work in tunnel No. 3 at the Pungeri test site and is ready for a possible nuclear test.

Analysts in the United States, relying on data obtained from satellite images, also argue that the DPRK authorities have expanded restoration work in tunnel No. 4. Experts believe that it is being prepared for future tests.

We work closely with our partners and allies. We are trying to act as quickly as possible, to make it clear and clear that nuclear tests are unacceptable for us and for the international community. As for the timing of a possible nuclear test, I have no information. They obviously have already done the preparatory work. We take into account that they can conduct nuclear tests at any time.

Song Kim

US Special Representative for North Korea
Commenting on the possibility of North Korea conducting new nuclear tests, US Special Representative for North Korea Son Kim noted that Washington does not rule out that Pyongyang will do so in the near future.