North Korea Denounces Japan's Military Expansion as 'Reality, Not Hypothetical'
A commentary by North Korea's state media KCNA on Tuesday criticised Japan's military expansion, asserting that its overseas aggression is "not hypothetical but reality." The commentary specifically cited Japan's plans to develop unmanned submarines capable of anti-ship attacks.
According to KCNA, the unmanned vessels could carry torpedoes and naval mines and be deployed near the coastlines of neighbouring countries, potentially enabling pre-emptive attacks on enemy ships in a conflict. The commentary accused Tokyo of abandoning its long-professed doctrine of exclusively defence-oriented policy and transforming its military into a "thoroughly offensive and aggressive force."
KCNA also pointed to Japan's efforts to mass-produce domestically developed long-range missiles, pursue a new ballistic missile with a range of up to 3,000 km, deploy upgraded anti-ship missiles and hypersonic glide weapons, and acquire foreign-made missiles including U.S. Tomahawks.
Japan's Foreign Ministry did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment at the time of writing.
The commentary comes as North Korea has increasingly highlighted its own naval modernisation drive. On Sunday, KCNA reported that leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch of a strategic cruise missile and tests of weapons systems aboard the new 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon. Mr. Kim has called for expanding the country's naval combat capabilities and ordered the vessel to enter service within two months.
North Korea recently commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon and has outlined plans to build additional warships, including larger 10,000-ton vessels. These developments underscore a pattern of military expansion on both sides, with each nation accusing the other of aggressive posturing.
The Korean Peninsula remains a region of high tension, with historical grievances and ongoing disputes over security policies. Japan's constitutional pacifism has been under strain as it modernises its military in response to perceived threats from North Korea and other regional powers. North Korea, in turn, views Japan's military growth as a direct threat to its security.
