An Investigation into North Korea’s ‘Real’ Nuclear Strategy: A Comparison with Pakistan’s Case

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to ascertain North Korea’s ‘real’ nuclear strategy. This article uses the ‘Strategy = Ends + Ways + Means’ construct for the ascertainment, and it makes comparisons to Pakistan’s nuclear strategy. This article found that North Korea’s goal of its nuclear armament was as ideological and aggressive as Pakistan’s, and that its nuclear strategy is closer to the ‘minimal deterrence strategy’ than Pakistan’s. North Korea seems more desperate than Pakistan because of its dire economic situation and the uncertain future of the Kim family dynasty. It could, therefore, try to achieve its goal, the reunification of South Korea, as soon as it has sufficient capabilities for the strategy. The United States and South Korea should be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which is North Korea’s reunification war against South Korea under the threat of nuclear attack on the US mainland and South Korea.