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US-Iran War: Lessons for Kim Jong Un
Lessons from the US-Iran War for North Korea
The US-Iran War, which commenced on February 28, 2026, remains ongoing, leading to analyses that North Korea's Kim Jong Un is likely drawing several lessons from the conflict. Contrary to initial overconfidence and expectations of a swift victory by the United States, the war escalated beyond controllable bounds with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on US military bases in the Middle East. This suggests that Kim Jong Un would recognize the need for caution in deciding on war and, conversely, that the United States might perceive an attack on North Korea as an easy option.
Threat of Leadership Decapitation and Strengthening Defense Strategies
The removal of the supreme leaders of Iraq and Iran through US military attacks during this war would have alerted Kim Jong Un to the vulnerability of his own leadership. Given the difficulty of accurately predicting precise US attacks, North Korea might conclude that a pre-emptive strike during signs of crisis would be advantageous to disrupt enemy operations. Furthermore, it is expected that North Korea will intensify efforts in fortification to minimize attack damage and enhance reconnaissance, early warning, and detection capabilities. The fact that Khamenei, despite anticipating an attack, did not flee but continued his daily duties, thereby gaining a martyr's image and legitimizing his son's succession, also holds significant implications for Kim Jong Un.
*Source: Yahoo!ニュース (2026-04-19)*
