Will North Korea launch nuclear strikes if South Korea attacks?

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North Korea Threatens Nuclear Retaliation if Attacked by South Korea

North Korea has stated that it will employ its nuclear forces to strike if South Korea initiates military confrontation or launches a preemptive strike. Senior North Korean official Kim Yo Jong specifically condemned remarks by South Korea's Defence Minister Suh Wook regarding the capability to attack North Korean targets, calling them a "very big mistake." While North Korea opposes war and does not consider South Korea its primary adversary, it has warned that any "dangerous military action" by the South, including a preemptive strike, would result in the destruction of major targets in Seoul and make South Korea itself a target.
Conditions for Nuclear Strike

North Korea's nuclear combat forces will be deployed to carry out their duty if South Korea's military takes any military action against the North, or if South Korean forces violate North Korean territory. Kim Yo Jong elaborated that South Korea will not be considered a target unless its army engages in military action against the North Korean state. However, she cautioned that any misjudgment leading to military actions like a "preemptive strike" would fundamentally alter the situation, turning South Korea into a direct target.
South Korean Defence Minister's Statement

The remarks that triggered North Korea's strong reaction were made by South Korean Defence Minister Suh Wook. He stated on Friday that the South Korean military possesses various missiles with significantly enhanced range, accuracy, and power. Specifically, he claimed these capabilities allow for the "accurately and quickly hit any target in North Korea."
Warning Against Preemptive Attacks

Kim Yo Jong advised South Korea to abandon any unrealistic expectations of successfully launching a preemptive attack against a nuclear-armed state. She emphasized that the warnings issued were not mere threats but a detailed explanation of North Korea's response to potential reckless military actions by South Korea. The implication is that South Korea can avoid such a catastrophic outcome by refraining from provocative military engagement.

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Will North Korea launch nuclear strikes if South Korea attacks?

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