Kim Yo Jong: Japan's missile tests show war-ready ambition, North Korea won't stand by

Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, has strongly condemned Japan's recent long-range cruise missile tests. She asserted that Japan is rapidly advancing its militarization and becoming a "war-ready nation."

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Japan's military actions are accelerating its transformation into a war-ready nation.

In a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim stated that Japan's military actions, including its official embrace of preemptive strike capabilities in late 2022, violate international law and its own constitution. She pointed to Japan's recent Aegis destroyer tests of Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Pacific and its participation in joint US-Philippine drills in Luzon, where it launched anti-ship missiles. The Tomahawk missiles have a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, putting North Korea, China, and Russia within striking distance.

Kim further detailed Japan's development plans for guided missiles, hypersonic glide weapons, and unmanned underwater vehicles, which she claims are reconfiguring its military posture for preemptive strikes and overseas aggression. She accused Japan of using its image as a "peace-loving nation" on the international stage as a facade to conceal its ambitions for military expansion.

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Japan's military actions violate international law and its own constitution.

Accusing the United States of instigating Japan's military buildup, Kim claimed that Washington is using allies like Japan and South Korea as proxies to threaten the security interests of anti-imperialist nations. She also criticized the US for expanding NATO's influence to threaten Russia's strategic space in Europe and for undermining peace in the Middle East.

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Japan's ambition for military expansion is now clearer than ever.

Kim concluded by stating that North Korea will not passively observe Japan's militarization, which poses a significant threat to regional security. She warned that North Korea's military leadership is preparing to establish new military options in response to Japan's evolving capabilities.

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The US is using its allies like Japan and South Korea as proxies to threaten anti-imperialist nations.