The DEFCON Warning System™

The World’s Only Public Nuclear Threat Advisory System. Independent, real-time analysis of global nuclear tensions. Since 1984.

Korea

As North Korea readies for a nuclear test, does it have a new doctrine?

In September, North Korea passed new legislation that marks the most significant update to its nuclear doctrine in a decade. This milestone

Why North Korea’s Next Nuclear Test Matters

Following the launch of a long-range North Korean missile that flew over Japanese territory, concerns are rising that Pyongyang will soon carry

Nukes and National Interests: Why Kim Jong-un Threatens Preemptive War

im Jong-un’s ambitious vow to preemptively use North Korea’s nuclear weapons to defend its “fundamental interests” has understandably drawn much attention in

North Korea Builds ICBM Base Near China as Fears of New Test Loom

North Korea began this year with a record-breaking spate of missile launches, but stopped short of a truly provocative step: ending its

What North Korea’s Missile Testing Means for the Korean Peninsula

ince January 5, in the space of less than a month, North Korea has launched missiles, including “hypersonic missiles” and medium-range ballistic

3 moves needed to counter North Korea’s surging missile threat

This story originally was published by Real Clear Defense. Failing on missile defenses for the homeland is not an option, and North

An arms race is heating up on the Korean Peninsula. Is the window for diplomacy closing?

Three years ago this week, South Korean President Moon Jae-in drew wide applause from thousands of North Koreans in Pyongyang when he

North Korea developed nuclear, missile programs in 2020: U.N. report

North Korea maintained and developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs throughout 2020 in violation of international sanctions, helping fund them with

Pukkuksong-5: Why North Korea’s New Solid-Fuel Missile Is a Problem

North Korea recently displayed its new “Pukkuksong-5” (Korean for Polaris-5) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) for the first time, in a mid-January parade

Why North Korea Is Going Full-Steam Ahead on Its Nuclear Weapons Program

North Korea recently convened the Eighth Congress of its ruling Workers Party. These are, of course, highly scripted affairs, but for outsiders,

Expect Missile Testing and Probing From North Korea, Not a Cry For Attention or Help

Specific predictions of North Korea’s actions in the coming months, such as the timing of a potential Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launch,

The quadruple threat: North Korea, China, Pakistan and Iran

n Sept. 8, 2020, a meeting took place between Mojtaba Zolnouri, the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy