Honestly, the word "assassination" and the name Kim Jong Un usually end up in the same sentence only when a Hollywood comedy drops or a wild rumor starts on social media. But if you look at the actual intelligence reports coming out of Seoul and the recent shifts in Pyongyang, the conversation is getting a lot more serious. This isn't about movies anymore. It's about a leader who seems increasingly convinced that someone—either from the outside or his own inner circle—is coming for him.
Lately, things have felt different. In early January 2026, we saw some massive shake-ups in the North Korean security apparatus. It wasn't just a routine swap of generals. Kim replaced the heads of three of his major security agencies, including the Bodyguard Command. This is the group responsible for the "Supreme Dignity’s" personal safety. When a dictator starts firing the people whose only job is to keep him alive, you have to wonder what he knows that we don’t.
The Reality of Assassination Kim Jong Un Fears
For years, the threat of a "decapitation strike" has been the nightmare scenario for the Kim regime. But 2026 has brought new layers to this paranoia. Most experts, like Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification, point to a specific turning point: the deployment of North Korean troops to help Russia in Ukraine.
Suddenly, North Korea isn't just an isolated hermit kingdom. It’s a direct player in a European war. Kim reportedly fears that this "international spotlight" makes him a much bigger target for foreign intelligence agencies or even Ukrainian special forces looking to strike back.
💡 You might also like: Michael Webb Fort Worth: What Really Happened in the Case That Shook Texas
It’s not just about a James Bond-style sniper, either. The technical side of assassination Kim Jong Un prep has shifted toward drones.
South Korean intelligence (the NIS) has noted that Kim’s team is obsessed with obtaining high-end jamming equipment and drone detection gear. If you’ve seen footage of him lately, you might have noticed his security guards carrying these weird, bulky black briefcases. They aren't holding paperwork. Those are foldable ballistic shields and, likely, portable electronic jammer units designed to drop a kamikaze drone out of the sky before it gets close.
The Maduro Factor
There’s another reason Kim is looking over his shoulder this month. On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While Venezuela is a world away from the Yalu River, the message wasn't lost on Pyongyang. To the North Korean leadership, this was proof that the "Western aggressors" are still in the business of regime change.
State media in Pyongyang has been screaming about this for weeks. They’re using the Maduro situation to justify why they need more nukes and why the internal security must be "iron-clad." It’s a classic move: use an external threat to tighten the screws at home. But behind the propaganda, there’s genuine fear. If it can happen to Maduro, why not Kim?
✨ Don't miss: CIA Ark of the Covenant: What Really Happened with the Gateway Project
Internal Threats: The Brutus Scenario
While we often think about a CIA-led mission or a South Korean "decapitation unit," the history of dictators suggests the danger is often closer to home. In the intelligence community, this is sometimes called the "Brutus" scenario—an assassination from within the palace walls.
Kim has spent the last decade purging anyone who looked like they might have a shred of independent power. We’re talking about:
- His own uncle, Jang Song-thaek, executed in 2013.
- His half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, poisoned with VX nerve agent in a Malaysian airport in 2017.
- Dozens of high-ranking military officials who simply "disappeared" from state TV.
By clearing the field, Kim has ensured loyalty, but he’s also created a vacuum of resentment. The recent 2026 reshuffle suggests he still doesn't trust the people standing right behind him. Replacing your security chiefs is a double-edged sword. You get fresh eyes, sure, but you also alienate the old guard who just lost their power. That’s a dangerous game to play in a country where "losing your job" often means losing your life.
Why Succession Matters Now
You’ve probably seen the photos of Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae. She’s everywhere now—at missile launches, factory inspections, and military parades. This isn't just a "bring your daughter to work" day. Analysts believe this is a deliberate move to project stability. By showing a clear successor, Kim is trying to tell potential assassins that killing him won't end the regime. It’s a "The King is dead, long live the Queen" strategy.
If there’s a clear line of succession, the incentive for a coup drops. Why risk everything to kill the leader if his daughter—or his powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong—is just going to step in and execute everyone involved?
Geopolitical Fallout of a Potential Attempt
Let's talk about the "what if." If an assassination Kim Jong Un attempt actually succeeded, the world wouldn't suddenly become a safer place. It would likely be the most dangerous moment in modern history.
North Korea is a nuclear-armed state with a "dead man's switch" doctrine. Their laws basically say that if the command structure is compromised, the military is authorized to launch. You’d have a country with dozens of nuclear warheads and no one clearly in charge.
- China’s Nightmare: Beijing wants a stable North Korea. A messy assassination or a civil war on their border is their worst-case scenario. They would likely flood the country with troops to secure the nuclear sites.
- The Refugee Crisis: If the central government collapses, millions of people could head for the borders of China and South Korea.
- The Power Vacuum: Would the military stay loyal to the Kim family? Or would different generals start fighting over the nuclear codes?
It’s a "be careful what you wish for" situation. While Kim is a brutal dictator, he is a known entity. The chaos that follows a sudden removal is a giant question mark that keeps Pentagon planners up at night.
What to Watch in 2026
The next few months are going to be tense. The 9th Party Congress is expected in February 2026. This is where Kim will lay out his five-year plan and likely cement his "hostile two states" policy toward South Korea.
Keep an eye on his public appearances. If he starts skipping major events or if his security detail doubles again, it’s a sign that the "assassination" fears aren't just talk. The technology is evolving—drones are cheaper, satellite tracking is better, and the internal pressure in North Korea is always simmering just under the surface.
Actionable Insights for Following the News
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on this, don't just wait for the big headlines. Watch the small stuff:
- Monitor KCNA (Korean Central News Agency): Look for changes in how they describe Kim's security. Terms like "iron-clad" or "defending with life" becoming more frequent usually means they’re nervous.
- Follow the NIS briefings: The South Korean National Intelligence Service often leaks "reshuffle" news before it's official.
- Watch the daughter: The more Ju Ae is featured, the more Kim is thinking about the long-term survival of his bloodline—and the threats to his own life.
The talk about assassination Kim Jong Un isn't going away. As long as he keeps testing ICBMs and sending troops to Russia, the target on his back only gets bigger. Whether the threat is a drone from the sky or a "Brutus" in the palace, the "Supreme Dignity" has never looked more vulnerable.
To get a better sense of the current military tension, you can look up the recent hypersonic missile tests conducted in early January. These tests are Pyongyang's way of saying they can strike back before anyone gets a chance to strike them.