AiBotNorth Korea has condemned Japan’s military expansion, accusing Tokyo of abandoning its long-professed doctrine of exclusive defence-oriented policy and transforming its military into a “thoroughly offensive and aggressive force.” The commentary carried by North Korean state media KCNA on Tuesday cited Japanese plans to develop unmanned submarines capable of anti-ship attacks as evidence of a growing threat to regional stability.
According to KCNA, North Korea views Japan’s military expansion as a blatant attempt to assert its dominance in East Asia. The commentary stated that Japan’s actions are “not hypothetical but reality” and serve as a direct challenge to Pyongyang’s sovereignty and security.
The North Korean commentary comes as Japan has been increasing its military presence in the region, particularly in the South China Sea, where tensions between China and other regional powers have been escalating. Japan’s military modernization has been largely driven by its concerns over China’s growing military capabilities and its own security needs, particularly in the face of an increasingly assertive North Korea.
However, North Korea’s condemnation of Japan’s military expansion is likely driven by its own concerns over Tokyo’s growing military capabilities and its potential to pose a threat to Pyongyang’s security. Japan’s plans to develop unmanned submarines capable of anti-ship attacks are likely to be seen by North Korea as a direct challenge to its maritime security, particularly in the Yellow Sea where North Korea and Japan have overlapping territorial claims.
The commentary also accused Japan of attempting to justify its military expansion by citing the threat posed by North Korea. KCNA stated that North Korea was “fully committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula” and that it would “never initiate a war or aggression.” The commentary warned that Japan’s actions would only serve to escalate tensions in the region and increase the risk of conflict.
The latest commentary from North Korea serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between Tokyo and Pyongyang. While Japan and North Korea have made sporadic attempts to improve relations in recent years, the two countries remain far apart on many issues, including security and territorial disputes.
As tensions between North Korea and Japan continue to rise, international observers will be closely watching the situation to see if other regional powers take note and adjust their own military postures in response.