North Korea has formally amended its constitutional framework to require an automatic nuclear retaliation if leader Kim Jong Un is assassinated or rendered unable to command the country’s armed forces, according to intelligence disclosures from South Korea.

The revision was approved during the opening session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly held in Pyongyang on March 22 and later revealed to senior South Korean officials in a briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Under the updated policy, Kim Jong Un retains ultimate authority over North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, but the new provisions establish a pre-authorized launch mechanism designed to ensure retaliation even if national leadership is eliminated in a surprise attack.

The amended nuclear doctrine states that if hostile forces threaten or disable North Korea’s nuclear command-and-control system, a nuclear strike must be executed immediately without delay. Analysts describe the measure as an effort to prevent any attempt at a so-called “decapitation strike” targeting the country’s leadership.

Security experts say the change effectively embeds an automatic response system into North Korea’s strategic doctrine, signaling that any assassination or leadership-targeted military operation could trigger an unavoidable nuclear escalation.

The move reflects Pyongyang’s growing focus on survivable deterrence — ensuring its nuclear capability remains operational under extreme wartime conditions. Observers warn, however, that automatic retaliation policies increase global security risks by shortening decision timelines and raising the possibility of rapid escalation during crises or miscalculations.

The constitutional amendment comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and continuing efforts by North Korea to strengthen both its military posture and nuclear deterrence strategy.