To what extent is the case for defensive warfare by states based on the analogy with the right to personal self-defense? The essence of war emerged over time. As war has become a tool used by others to gain control over territories or show some sort of strength. According to Orend (1999) a just war should meet these criteria which include the right intention, its proportionality has been weighed; its chances of a just cause being realized and whether it is the last option remaining when all other alternative measures have been exercised and have failed to achieve the intended result. However, just war has its critics from pacifists who believe that war is a morally wrong path undertaken to achieve peace because it does not serve its purpose of protecting its people but rather harming them and should not be considered but alternatives should be considered. account. Pacifists also believe that one must live by the holy book which states that one must love one's offender and not wage war against him (Anscombe, 1981). In this essay we will try to discuss the relationship between defensive war by states and the individual right to self-defense. Second, how these defensive wars control the actions states and individuals take in the face of imminent attack. Third, North Korea will be used as a reference to address the right to defend oneself in case of danger. A conclusion will then be presented. War is defined by Dinstein (2001) as a defensive act in the face of attack. A war can be waged on two fronts of prevention or preemption and is a social authority of violence to achieve a political determination. Preventive war is permissible and therefore defined as... middle of paper... peace: an introduction. Kent: Routledge. P. 105-109.Gupta, S. (2008). The pre-emptive strike doctrine: Application and implications during the administration of President George W. Bush. International review of political science. 29(2), p.181-196.Lango, T.W. (2005). Preventive wars, just war principles and the United Nations. The journal of ethics. 9(1/2),p.247-268.Nagel, T. (1972). War and massacre. Philosophy and public affairs. 1(2), 123-144.Orend, B. (1999). Kant's theory of just war. Journal of the history of philosophy. 37(2),p.323Rottman, G.L. (2002). Korean War Order of Battle: United States, United Nations, and Communist Army, Naval, and Air Forces, 1950–1953. Portmouth: Greenwood Publishing Group. P. 157.Tolstoy, L. (1901). Patriotism and governments. The press of the free era. P. 4-7.Toner, C. (2010). The logical structure of just war theory. P. 84-93.