North Korea warns of 'military options' over Japan rearmament
Pyongyang's "leadership will set up additional military options which are obviously due to Japan's transformation", says the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, has accused Japan of transforming into a war state amid Tokyo's increased military presence in the Pacific. In a statement published by North Korean state media, Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang will establish additional military options in response to Japan's transformation. She cited recent Japanese activities, including the test-firing of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and participation in US-led drills in the Philippines, as evidence of Washington's support for "dangerous military moves."
Kim Yo Jong warned, "We will never remain a passive onlooker to the military evolution of Japan which may pose a grave threat." Japan, a former US territory, has continuously hosted US military bases since its surrender in World War II and recently increased its military expenditure by 9.7% to $62.2 billion in 2025, the highest share since 1958.
North Korea, a close ally of China, has expressed alarm at Japan's "new militarism," and the situation has worsened since Tokyo's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Chinese action against Taiwan could warrant a military response from Japan.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
