Amid increasing tensions between North Korea and South Korea, first new United States military strategy released under President Biden has warned North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un that his government would not “survive” in the event that he used a nuclear weapon.
“Our strategy for North Korea recognizes the threat posed by its nuclear, chemical, missile, and conventional capabilities, and in particular the need to make clear to the Kim regime the dire consequences should it use nuclear weapons,” the Department of Defense’s Nuclear Posture Review stated.
“Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its Allies and partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime,” the report continued. “There is no scenario in which the Kim regime could employ nuclear weapons and survive.”
“Short of nuclear use, North Korea can also conduct rapid strategic attacks in East Asia. United States nuclear weapons continue to play a role in deterring such attacks. Further, we will hold the regime responsible for any transfers it makes of nuclear weapons technology, material, or expertise to any state or non-state actor,” it added.
The move appears to be a switch by the Biden administration to the former Trump administration’s strategy. As explained by Newsweek, “The language was some of the starkest yet from the U.S., as tensions between Washington and Pyongyang mounted toward levels not seen since 2017, a year of nuclear-fueled threats between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. By early 2018, the two men joined South Korean President Moon-Jae for a historic peace process that produced a record number of high-level summits, but ultimately unraveled without a lasting peace deal being reached.”
