Pyongyang warns of possible nuclear weapons use

North Korea has warned that it could use nuclear weapons under its law on the policy governing state nuclear forces in response to actions by the United States and South Korea, according to a statement by a North Korean Defence Ministry representative.

The law, adopted in 2022, provides for the use of nuclear weapons in the event of an attack on the country’s leadership and the command system overseeing its nuclear forces, as well as in response to a threat of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction being used against North Korea.

“Such threats by the enemies involving an attack on and the use of weapons of mass destruction against our state may be regarded as the most serious challenge to ensuring security, requiring the relevant provisions of the law on the policy governing state nuclear forces to be put into effect,” the statement said.

The warning came after a September 10 meeting of the US-Republic of Korea Commission on responding to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). According to Pyongyang, the two sides agreed to improve information sharing, enhance joint response capabilities and step up relevant exercises.

By Jeyhun Aghazada