North Korea has continued to criticize Japan, saying the country’s latest defense white paper is a “reinvasion white paper.” The criticism comes as North Korea and Japan have seen tensions rise in recent weeks. In a statement released on August 4, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the 2023 Defense White Paper published by Japan on July 28 “grossly distorts reality and recklessly slanders” North Korea. 북한이 일본의 최신 국방백서는 재침략 백서라며 연일 일본을 비난하고 나섰다. 이런 비판은 최근 북한과 일본의 긴장이 고조되는 가운데 나왔다. 북한 외무성 대변인은 8월 4일 발표한 성명에서 7월 28일 일본이 발간한 2023 국방백서는 “현실을 심하게 왜곡하고 북한을 무분별하게 비방한다”고 말했다. The spokesperson accused Japan of “willfully distorting” North Korea’s intentions and trying to “cover up” its own military provocations. The spokesperson also criticized Japan for maintaining a “subjective and selective” stance on the abduction issue. 대변인은 일본이 북한의 의도를 “고의적으로 왜곡하고” 자국의 군사적 도발을 “은폐하려 한다”고 비난했다. 대변인은 또한 일본이 납북자 문제에 대해 “주관적이고 선택적인” 입장을 유지하고 있다고 비판했다. In particular, the spokesperson expressed strong regret over Japan’s reiteration of its claim to sovereignty over Dokdo Island. 특히 대변인은 일본이 독도 영유권 주장을 거듭한 것에 대해 강한 유감을 표했다. Dokdo Island is a group of small islets that are controlled by South Korea but claimed by Japan. 독도는 한국이 통제하지만 일본이 영유권을 주장하는 작은 섬이다. The spokesperson said Japan’s claims over Dokdo Island are “an outright encroachment upon South Korea’s sovereignty.” 대변인은 일본의 독도 영유권 주장은 “한국의 주권을 노골적으로 침해하는 것”이라고 말했다. The spokesperson urged Japan to “correct its wrongdoing” and “make a right choice” to improve relations with North Korea. 대변인은 일본에 “잘못을 바로잡고” 북한과의 관계를 개선하기 위해 “올바른 선택을 하라”고 촉구했다. The 2023 Defense White Paper is the first such document published under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. 2023 국방백서는 기시다 후미오 일본 총리의 지도 하에 출판된 첫 번째 문서이다. In the document, Japan vowed to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities and expand its deterrence capabilities in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. 일본은 이 문서에서 북한의 핵과 미사일 위협에 대응하여 자국의 방어 능력을 근본적으로 강화하고 억지력을 확대할 것이라고 맹세했다. Japan also expressed concerns over China’s rapid military buildup and maritime expansion. 일본은 또한 중국의 급속한 군사적 건설과 해양 확장에 대한 우려를 표했다. The country’s defense ministry also said it will consider introducing a new defense equipment acquisition program to speed up the deployment of new defense equipment. 일본 국방부는 또한 새로운 방어 장비의 배치 속도를 높이기 위해 새로운 국방 장비 획득 프로그램을 도입하는 것을 고려할 것이라고 말했다. The ministry also plans to increase the number of Self-Defense Forces personnel. 국방부는 또한 자위대 병력 수를 늘릴 계획이다.
North Korea condemned Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper as a "renewed military threat" that aims to "legitimize the activation of war machines" according to the report. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper featured a commentary by Gong Won-chul, a noted expert on international security issues, who criticized Japan's Defense White Paper for portraying "borderline and desperate threats" to the Republic of Korea and other neighboring countries as "consequential and imminent threats."
The annual Defense White Paper, released recently under the leadership of Yoshihide Suga, described North Korea's military developments as "an even more serious and imminent threat to Japan's security," and also assessed the military cooperation between North Korea, Russia, and China as a "serious concern to Japan's security." Gong Won-chul argued that Japan's excessive focus on its own security concerns and its alliance-building with the United States and its allies is reminiscent of a past when it suppressed the truth about criminal acts and militarized its nation through a strategic partnership with the United States and its allies.
He asserted that Japan is on a path to militarization that is "more desperate and consequential than ever," and that it poses the most urgent and pressing threat to the global community today. North Korea has continued to criticize Japan's military moves, including the recent condemnation of Japan's long-range submarine missile test launch and its response to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs even issued a statement in response to North Korea's criticism, stating that North Korea's criticisms are a recurring theme every year, but that the recent increase in criticism reflects North Korea's efforts to justify its nuclear weapons program by aligning itself with China and Russia.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
