<span style="color: #222222;">North Korea has passed a law allowing itself to carry out a preventive nuclear strike. According to Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un said, the status of the country as a nuclear weapons state has become irreversible with the newly enacted law.  <br />''<br />''The law specifically states the North can use nuclear weapons in case of a nuclear or non-nuclear attack by hostile forces on the state leadership and the command organization of the state's nuclear forces, among other situations.<br />''<br />''Nuclear talks and diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang have been derailed since 2019 over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in return.<br />''<br />''North Korea conducted a record number of weapons tests this year including the firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile at full range for the first time since 2017.<br />''<br />''Washington and South Korean officials have repeatedly warned that the North is preparing to carry out what would be its seventh nuclear test.</span><br />''<br />