The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development of North Korea's tactical nuclear weapons, changes in the nuclear command and control system, the advancement of the projectile, and the development of capabilities and threats, according to the...
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development of North Korea's tactical nuclear weapons, changes in the nuclear command and control system, the advancement of the projectile, and the development of capabilities and threats, according to the study on the Kim Jong-un regime's nuclear capabilities and nuclear threats. By examining the background of tactical nuclear weapons' military and security position from the Cold War period to the present, and by examining cases of tactical nuclear weapons operations in the United States, Russia, and Pakistan, North Korea's nuclear strategy and nuclear command and control system change and development were examined.
During the Cold War, the United States used tactical nuclear weapons as a crucial tool to stop the spread of communism. Additionally, implementing strategic deterrence, it contributed to the allies' security assurance. To complement the conventional weapon strategy, Russia has adopted a strategy of relying on tactical nuclear weapons to lower the threshold for nuclear use, which is still in place today. Pakistan has actively developed and deployed tactical nuclear weapons to offset India's relatively dominant power advantage about conventional weapons, leaving open the possibility of nuclear use and maintaining an asymmetric expansion posture. As can be seen from the case analysis of the three countries, it has been confirmed that tactical nuclear weapons, unlike strategic nuclear weapons, go beyond just a means of defense and play an important role as a military deterrence capability, national security assurance, and political tool.
In the case of North Korea, the development and development of tactical nuclear weapons became particularly noticeable during the Kim Jong-un era, which served as a means of maintaining and surviving the North Korean regime, as well as a strategy to secure military and diplomatic superiority. The development and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons were a significant turning point in North Korea's nuclear strategy and increased the likelihood of practical use. Kim Jong-un has continued to develop nuclear weapons to increase the likelihood of practical use of nuclear weapons, and during this development, the nuclear command and control system naturally developed.
North Korea's nuclear command and control system is arbitrary and takes the form of independent centralization, but in times of crisis, it takes on a hybrid form of nuclear command and control that is decentralized. These characteristics increase the likelihood of using tactical nuclear weapons, and at the same time bring uncertainty and misjudgment in nuclear command and control. North Korea's development of these tactical nuclear weapons introduces new elements of tension in the military balance on the Korean Peninsula, which reflects its willingness to use nuclear weapons in various ways through military and diplomatic threats along with the maintenance of the North Korean system. Additionally, these development and strategy of North Korea have security implications for just South Korea, but the entire of Korean Peninsula, and even the international community, leading to an arms race for neighboring countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
Through these research results, this study drew the following implications.
First, it is important to maintain and secure the capabilities of the Korean three-axis system, Kill Chain, Korean Missile Defense (KAMD), and Mass Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR). The Kill Chain is a system that detects signs of North Korea's nuclear and missile launches early and makes preemptive strikes, and the Korean-style missile defense is a complex defense system that minimizes damage to allies through detection and interception of missiles. Mass Punishment and Retaliation is a system that punishes and retaliates leadership and core facilities when North Korea's nuclear and WMD are used, and it is necessary to implement both rejection and retribution deterrence to effectively suppress North Korea's nuclear threat.
Second, it is necessary to strengthen the ability to respond to a variety of security threats. In addition to traditional security, it is necessary to develop an integrated response system in preparation for non-traditional security threats such as cyber threats, chemical attacks, and counterterrorism operations. In addition, through cooperation between the United States and the United States, continuous monitoring and military readiness to neutralize signs of enemy attacks should be maintained.
Third, it is the establishment of an integrated defense posture for civil, government, military, police, and firefighting. To this end, it is necessary to increase response power in the event of a crisis by establishing an information sharing system and strengthening the integrated defense operation capabilities.
Fourth, it is necessary to establish a combat mission-oriented training system and establish a combat mission-oriented training system. It is necessary to systematize the establishment of education and training for the ROK-US joint training by expanding the advanced training system and scientific training, and to maintain an immediate response posture.
The security of South Korea and its neighboring countries is seriously threatened by the Kim Jong-un regime's development of tactical nuclear weapons, and in order to curb it, South Korea should strengthen its customized response strategy as well as its military preparedness. In preparation for North Korea's possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, it is essential to complete a three-axis Korean-style system, maintain and continue to strengthen the alliance between South Korea and the United States, and establish a cooperative system in the international community. Through this, it is necessary to curb North Korea's threat of using tactical nuclear weapons and maintain the security order in Northeast Asia.