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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized Japan for transforming into a 'war state' and called for an accelerated military buildup during a party meeting, according to state media. The remarks came at a plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea, where Kim also condemned the United States and South Korea for escalating tensions.
Kim Jong Un accused Japan of using global instability to shed post-World War II constraints and pursue militarization. "Japan, a defeated country in Asia, has openly turned itself into a war state," he stated Source: japantoday. He also criticized the U.S. and South Korea for "extremely aggravating the situation in the Korean peninsula" through military drills and espionage Source: japantoday.
Kim's rebuke of Japan mirrors recent Chinese President Xi Jinping's opposition to "revive militarism" during a visit to Pyongyang Source: japantoday. Analysts note this is the first time Kim has specifically used terms like "moves to become a military power" to criticize Japan. The speech reinforces North Korea's stance as a nuclear state, with Kim arguing that exercising that position is the only way to cope with a "complicated global security situation" .
“Japan, a defeated country in Asia, has openly turned itself into a war state by taking the present disturbing circumstances as an opportunity to get rid of all shackles restricting its moves to become a military power.”
“Kim then set forth 'tasks to dynamically carry out the work to increase powerful defence assets without pause in our own way and with a goal of overtaking the world'.”
“The U.S. indiscriminate and high-handed practices have dangerously impacted on its satellite forces.”