Seoul, 05 August (H.S.):

North Korea has issued a warning that it will consider “more military options” to safeguard its security, while strongly reacting to Japan’s growing military capabilities and defence preparations. Pyongyang accused Japan of once again attempting to expand its military power and also criticised the United States for allowing Tokyo to rearm.

According to South Korea’s state-run news agency Yonhap, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in a statement released through state media that Japan is rapidly transforming into a “war-oriented nation.” She referred to Japan’s recent testing of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and its participation in US-led military exercises in the Philippines, claiming that these developments are part of Tokyo’s policy of military expansion.

Kim Yo-jong alleged that Japan is moving towards developing a pre-emptive strike capability and that its military plans have now entered the implementation stage.

Targeting the United States, Kim Yo-jong accused Washington of using Japan and South Korea to serve its strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, saying that such moves are disturbing the regional security balance.

She said North Korea would not ignore Japan’s military activities and that the country’s military and leadership would prepare additional military options to ensure national security.

The statement comes at a time when tensions over security challenges and military activities in East Asia continue to rise. However, Japan and the United States have not issued any immediate official response to North Korea’s allegations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar