North Korea Revises Constitution to Require Automatic Nuclear Strike if Leadership Assassinated

North Korea has revised its constitution to require an automatic nuclear strike if its leadership is assassinated or if the command system over its nuclear forces is endangered by hostile forces. The revision was approved during a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly that opened March 22 in Pyongyang, The Telegraph reported.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service briefed senior government officials on the update this week. The updated provision states: "If the command-and-control system over the state’s nuclear forces is placed in danger by hostile forces’ attacks ...

" The change comes amid heightened global tensions following an Israeli military operation earlier this year that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other officials, Fox News Digital previously reported.

Reuters previously reported that North Korea revised its constitution to define its territory as bordering South Korea and to remove references to reunification. That marked the first time the country included a territorial clause in its constitution.

Last month the country’s leader pledged to further strengthen nuclear capabilities while maintaining a hard-line stance toward South Korea. The leader has accused the United States of state terrorism and aggression and signaled the country could take a more active role in opposition to Washington.