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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

North Korean leader Kim criticises Japan as turning into 'war state'

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized Japan for transforming into a "war state" and shedding restrictions on becoming a military power.
  • Kim also condemned the U.S. and South Korea for escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula through military modernization and drills.
  • He vowed to accelerate North Korea's defense capabilities, emphasizing nuclear technology and setting ambitious goals for defense asset build-up.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sharply criticized Japan, accusing it of openly transforming into a "war state" by seizing current circumstances to remove all constraints on its military ambitions. In a speech delivered until June 22, Kim stated that Japan, a defeated nation in Asia, is shedding its restrictions to become a military power, a move he believes invites strong backlash and serious international concern.

Japan, a defeated country in Asia, has openly turned itself into a war state by taking the present disturbing circumstances as an opportunity to get rid of all shackles restricting its moves to become a military power.

— Kim Jong UnNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un's criticism of Japan during a meeting held until June 22, as reported by KCNA.

This marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, with Kim reportedly referring for the first time to "moves to become a military power" and "militarism" in his criticism of Japan. His remarks follow similar sentiments expressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Pyongyang earlier in June, where Xi voiced opposition to attempts to "revive militarism," apparently targeting Japan.

This is inviting a strong backlash and serious concern from the international community.

— Kim Jong UnKim Jong Un's assessment of the international reaction to Japan's perceived militarization.

In response, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara refrained from commenting directly on Kim's remarks. He reiterated that Japan's "exclusively defence-oriented" policy remains unchanged and that the nation maintains only the minimum necessary self-defense capabilities. Kihara dismissed assertions of Japan becoming a military power or reviving militarism as unfounded and urged Pyongyang to comply with UN Security Council resolutions regarding its nuclear and missile activities.

Assertions that Japan is becoming a military power or reviving militarism are unfounded.

— Minoru KiharaJapanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara's response to Kim Jong Un's accusations.

Kim also directed criticism towards the U.S. and South Korea, accusing them of "extremely aggravating the situation in the Korean peninsula" through armed forces modernization, military drills, and espionage. He vowed to accelerate North Korea's national defense capabilities, emphasizing the role of nuclear technology. The leader called for "more extensive, innovative and encouraging plans" to be carried out with increasing speed, setting goals to "overtake the world" in building powerful defense assets. He also characterized South Korea as "the most hostile state" and stressed adherence to the principle of struggle against the enemy.

The US indiscriminate and high-handed practices have dangerously impacted its satellite forces.

— Kim Jong UnKim Jong Un's criticism of U.S. actions impacting its allies, likely referring to Japan and South Korea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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