North Korea warns South Korea-Japan military cooperation invites 'imminent destruction'

North Korea has strongly denounced the strengthening military ties between South Korea and Japan, labeling their cooperation a "reckless military collusion" that will lead to their own destruction. A commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday, attributed to Kang Chol-su, head of the Anti-U.S. Institute for Research, warned that the escalating military collaboration between the two nations is destabilizing the Korean Peninsula.

The commentary specifically cited the recent defense ministers' meeting between South Korea and Japan and an incident where Japan's Air Self-Defense Force provided refueling support to South Korea's aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, in January. North Korea alleges that this security cooperation is moving towards a "mutual logistics support agreement," which would allow for the exchange of military supplies. However, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has stated that it is not currently considering such an agreement.

North Korea views this burgeoning alliance as a confrontational move targeting Pyongyang and an integral part of a "trilateral nuclear cooperation system" aimed at countering U.S. hegemonic strategies in the region. The commentary pointed to joint statements by Japan and South Korea emphasizing the importance of "U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation" and their efforts to deploy long-range missiles and develop nuclear-powered submarines as evidence of this coordinated effort.

In response to these developments, North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering its nuclear capabilities. The commentary asserted that continuously expanding and strengthening its nuclear force and fully exercising its status as a nuclear power are the sole paths to proactively address the volatile international situation and safeguard peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider region. North Korea concluded by stating that regardless of any military alliance formed between Japan and South Korea, the "absolute, unshakeable geopolitical structure" established by a strong nuclear power will never change.