The Korean Command Vacuum
North Korea's leadership disappears during artillery exchanges, raising the risk of loose nuclear authority and uncontrolled field commanders.
After an exchange of artillery fire along the DMZ, intelligence indicators suggest North Korea's top leadership compound has gone dark. No authoritative message emerges for hours, but missile and artillery units continue moving under fragmented local commands.
You are the Commander of US Forces Korea
The Situation Room
>South Korean leadership wants to know whether this is the beginning of regime collapse or a decapitation feint.
>US intelligence cannot tell whether nuclear release authority has centralized, fragmented, or delegated downward in panic.
>Any visible preparation for a strike could trigger launch by frightened local commanders who think war has already begun.
Internal Briefing Notes
• Regime opacity means leadership disappearance creates more uncertainty, not less.
• In a command vacuum, lower-echelon commanders may act aggressively to prove loyalty or avoid being accused of hesitation.
• Pre-emption is tempting when nuclear authority is unclear, but may itself trigger the very release you are trying to prevent.
Escalation Window
Reveal each phase to see how the situation deteriorates.
No one knows who is really in command north of the DMZ. What is your operational logic?
Choose your response. There are no good options.
You may reduce immediate nuclear risk, but could convince every surviving commander that full war has begun.
You lower accidental escalation risk, but leave unstable forces free to disperse and arm.
You protect allied forces and civilians better, but may create the exact invasion signal that triggers panic launches.
Related Entities
Explore the institutions, countries, and actors involved in this scenario.
Scenario Lab Feedback