&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "North Korea accuses Japan of becoming a 'war state' amid military buildup")
North Korea on Wednesday accused Japan of turning itself into a "war state" as Tokyo continues to strengthen its military capabilities across the Pacific.
The remarks came from Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after Japan stepped up defence spending, expanded military partnerships and increased deployments on its outer islands.
A day earlier, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the country must strengthen its military with a "sense of urgency and crisis" following a new government assessment that identified China, Russia and North Korea as growing security threats.
In a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang's "leadership will set up additional military options which are obviously due to Japan's transformation".
"Japan, a war criminal state, is accelerating its transformation into a war state," the statement said.
North Korea cites military drills and missile tests
Trending Stories
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Pradeep Rawat died at 74: Revisit the unforgettable roles that defined his career
)
Why did FSSAI ban the sale of Old Monk, Antiquity Blue and other liquor brands?
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
‘India’s FCRA bill an attack on Christians, could hit bilateral ties,’ says US lawmaker
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
'Crass, cheap and deeply derogatory:' Internet slams Udhayanidhi Stalin over his 'double-meaning' remark on Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's mandatory E20 petrol rollout
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Should not be bullied': CJP says movement will expand beyond protests. Politics, or something bigger?
)
WMO warns Super El Niño is set to become monstrous between Aug-Oct - This was 'only a warm-up act'
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
'I believe in freedom of expression...': Shashi Tharoor clarifies on attending event where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address Gen Zs
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
‘Disputes could help ousted forces make comeback’: Bangladesh PM warns ahead of Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi PC
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Sujatha Vijayakumar? The producer defending daughter Aarti in Ravi Mohan divorce battle
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
Kim pointed to Japan's recent Tomahawk long-range cruise missile test and its participation in United States-led military exercises in the Philippines in May as signs of Washington's support for what she described as "dangerous military moves" in the Pacific.
She also accused Tokyo of moving "to formulate the possession of the capability for preemptive attack", adding, "We will never remain a passive onlooker to the military evolution of Japan which may pose a grave threat."
Japan defends military build-up
Japan's Defence Ministry declined to respond directly to Kim's remarks but said the country's defence capabilities "remain bare minimum" and "are not meant to threaten other countries".
"Ours isn't the defence meant to wage wars, but to prevent new wars, strictly kept to self-defence and within the scope of our (pacifist) Constitution and international laws," the ministry said.
The ministry also confirmed that last week's Tomahawk missile test was Japan's first and said the country plans to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk missiles by the end of fiscal 2027.
Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula until its surrender in the Second World War in 1945, after which Korea was divided into two states along the 38th parallel. The legacy of that colonial period continues to influence relations between Japan and both North and South Korea.
Kim also warned, "If the descendants of militarism, who have inherited the genes of cunning and aggression, have seized deadly weapons in their hands, something unpleasant will happen."
Japan increased its military spending by 9.7 per cent to $62.2 billion in 2025, taking defence expenditure to 1.4 per cent of its GDP, the highest share since 1958.
