• Korea and World Politics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.129-158
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• 2017

The names of North Korean nuclear and missile dedicated operations units have changed to artillery corps, missile guidance agency, strategic rocket forces, and strategic forces. The North Korean strategic forces is an independent military that has the status of the 4th army, which is distinguished from conventional forces. Unlike other units under the command of the chief of general staff, the strategic forces receives direct orders from the supreme commander. The strategic forces plays an important role in economic and nuclear armed constructions. However, since it is in the early stage of building nuclear forces, it does not play a role properly. The strategic forces is expected to give flexibility and diversity to North Korean conventional forces-based military strategy. If the strategic forces is not involved in the operation of the SLBMs, conflicts may arise over the right to operate nuclear and missile in North Korea.