Kim Yo-jong, the head of the Workers' Party of Korea's General Department, warned that North Korea would respond militarily to Japan's recent actions, including the test launch of long-range cruise missiles.
In a statement released on August 5, titled "Japan's Possession of Preemptive Strike Capability is a Major Threat to International Peace and Stability," Kim criticized Japan's military developments, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency.
She referenced the recent test launch of the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan's participation in U.S.-led joint exercises in the Philippines.
Kim stated that Japan's military actions demonstrate a shift towards formalizing its preemptive strike capability, which she claimed violates international law and Japan's own constitution prohibiting the right to collective defense and engagement in combat.
She specifically mentioned the deployment of anti-ship guided missiles and glide bombs at Self-Defense Forces bases, emphasizing that Japan's military posture is being restructured into a preemptive strike and overseas invasion model across multiple domains, including land, sea, air, and underwater.
Kim pointed out that Japan's previous portrayal as a "peace-loving nation" has become increasingly transparent as a cover for its ambitions to militarize.
She also highlighted the role of the United States in supporting Japan's military maneuvers, claiming that the U.S. has facilitated the conditions for Japan's recent Tomahawk missile test, which she argued poses a direct threat to North Korea.
Kim warned, "We will not overlook Japan's military evolution and will clearly establish additional military options in response to Japan's transformation, as mandated by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's military and military leadership."
Earlier, Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that the Aegis destroyer, the Chokai, conducted a Tomahawk cruise missile test in the Pacific with support from the U.S. Navy on July 28. This marked the first time Japan has actually launched a Tomahawk missile.
The Tomahawk is a long-range precision strike cruise missile with a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, capable of reaching North Korea, Russia, and China.
Japan has signed a contract to acquire 400 Tomahawk missiles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, with plans to bring them in between 2025 and 2027, and has sent the Chokai to the U.S. to develop operational capabilities.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, noted that while Japan claims its military developments are for defensive deterrence, North Korea interprets these intentions as expansionist. He added that the implications of additional military options mean that Japan's military trends will be recognized as official threats not only to South Korea and the U.S. but also to North Korea.
In a statement released on August 5, titled "Japan's Possession of Preemptive Strike Capability is a Major Threat to International Peace and Stability," Kim criticized Japan's military developments, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency.
She referenced the recent test launch of the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan's participation in U.S.-led joint exercises in the Philippines.
Kim stated that Japan's military actions demonstrate a shift towards formalizing its preemptive strike capability, which she claimed violates international law and Japan's own constitution prohibiting the right to collective defense and engagement in combat.
She specifically mentioned the deployment of anti-ship guided missiles and glide bombs at Self-Defense Forces bases, emphasizing that Japan's military posture is being restructured into a preemptive strike and overseas invasion model across multiple domains, including land, sea, air, and underwater.
Kim pointed out that Japan's previous portrayal as a "peace-loving nation" has become increasingly transparent as a cover for its ambitions to militarize.
She also highlighted the role of the United States in supporting Japan's military maneuvers, claiming that the U.S. has facilitated the conditions for Japan's recent Tomahawk missile test, which she argued poses a direct threat to North Korea.
Kim warned, "We will not overlook Japan's military evolution and will clearly establish additional military options in response to Japan's transformation, as mandated by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's military and military leadership."
Earlier, Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that the Aegis destroyer, the Chokai, conducted a Tomahawk cruise missile test in the Pacific with support from the U.S. Navy on July 28. This marked the first time Japan has actually launched a Tomahawk missile.
The Tomahawk is a long-range precision strike cruise missile with a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, capable of reaching North Korea, Russia, and China.
Japan has signed a contract to acquire 400 Tomahawk missiles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, with plans to bring them in between 2025 and 2027, and has sent the Chokai to the U.S. to develop operational capabilities.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, noted that while Japan claims its military developments are for defensive deterrence, North Korea interprets these intentions as expansionist. He added that the implications of additional military options mean that Japan's military trends will be recognized as official threats not only to South Korea and the U.S. but also to North Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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