- Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized Japan's recent test-firing of a Tomahawk missile, according to state media KCNA.
- In response to Japan's missile test, Kim Yo Jong issued a military threat, stating that Pyongyang would adopt additional military options.
- Kim pointed out Japan's launch of the long-range cruise missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai and its participation in a U.S.-led military drill in the Philippines.
- She accused Japan of moving away from a defensive posture and transforming into a military power capable of preemptive attacks.
- Kim stated that North Korea would respond in ways that made Japan feel that its security has been exposed to greater danger, saying, "We should make it regret," in strong rhetoric towards Tokyo.
- Kim also accused the United States of enabling Japan's military buildup by supplying Tomahawk missiles and supporting missile tests.
- Kim's comments are part of a series of North Korean critiques of security cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, which they view as threatening regional security.
- Analysts suggest that Pyongyang is framing Japan's military modernization as a direct security threat to justify its own weapons development.
- The messaging from North Korea could lay the groundwork for possible future military demonstrations, including missile tests.
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that Pyongyang would adopt "additional military options" in response to Japan's recent test-firing of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile. Kim criticized Japan for moving beyond a defensive posture, claiming it is now capable of preemptive attacks and overseas military operations.124
In her statement, reported by state media KCNA, Kim cited Japan's missile test from the Aegis destroyer Chokai and its participation in a U.S.-led military drill in the Philippines as evidence of Tokyo's military ambitions. She stated that North Korea would respond in ways that would make Japan feel its security is at greater risk, declaring, "We should make it regret".5
Kim also accused the United States of enabling Japan's military buildup, asserting that the U.S. is behind Japan's dangerous military moves. This rhetoric is part of a broader narrative from North Korea, which has criticized the security cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, framing Japan's military modernization as a direct threat to justify its own weapons development.67
Analysts suggest that Kim's comments may set the stage for future military demonstrations, including missile tests or displays of undersea strike capabilities. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, noted that Kim's statements aim to portray Japan's military steps as part of a U.S. effort to strengthen its proxy military capabilities against North Korea.9
“Kim said the U.S. is 'behind such dangerous military moves of Japan,' accusing Washington of supplying Tomahawk missiles and supporting tests. KCNA has published at least six editorials since July condemning U.S.-South Korea-Japan security cooperation as raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”
