World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
North Korea condemns Japan’s reported nuclear weapons exception plan
North Korea condemned Japan’s reported plan to make an exception to its ban on bringing nuclear weapons into the country.
Japan is considering the change as part of revisions to three major security documents due this year.
The exception could allow nuclear weapons into Japan, although the sources do not say Japan has made a final decision.
North Korea said the move showed Japan had ambitions to become a military power and might seek its own nuclear weapons.
North Korea used the plan to reaffirm its nuclear buildup, saying greater strength was needed to protect regional peace and security.
The dispute raises concerns about nuclear policy and security in the region, though the claims about Japan’s intentions came from North Korea.
Japan is expected to revise its security documents this year, but the sources give no further details about the process.
North Korea condemned Japan’s reported plan to make an exception to its ban on bringing nuclear weapons into the country.
North Korea said the move would advance Japan’s nuclear ambitions and reaffirmed its own policy of strengthening its nuclear forces.
The plan was reportedly under consideration for Japan’s three national security documents, which are due to be revised this year.
North Korea’s state news agency said the plan threatened regional peace and security.
- Who
- North Korea condemned Japan’s reported plan.
- What
- Japan is reportedly considering an exception to its ban on bringing nuclear weapons into the country. North Korea reaffirmed its intention to strengthen its nuclear forces.
- When
- North Korea issued its commentary on November 15. Japan’s documents are due to be revised this year.
- Where
- Japan; North Korea issued its response through the Korean Central News Agency.
- Why
- North Korea said the plan would advance Japan’s nuclear ambitions and threaten regional peace and security.
North Korea
Japanese government
Purpose of the plan
North Korea
North Korea said the exception would advance Japan’s nuclear ambitions and weaken its non-nuclear principles.
Japanese government
Japan’s reported purpose for considering the exception was not stated.
Security implications
North Korea
North Korea said the plan threatened regional peace and security.
Japanese government
The Japanese government’s view of the security implications was not stated.
Local media reported that Japan was considering an exception to its non-nuclear principles in security documents due for revision this year.
North Korea’s state news agency published a commentary condemning the reported plan and reaffirming North Korea’s nuclear-force buildup.
- Reported exception
- Japan was considering an exception to its ban on bringing nuclear weapons into the country
- Documents
- Japan’s three national security documents are due for revision this year
- North Korean response
- Commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency on November 15
- North Korea’s position
- It reaffirmed a policy of strengthening its nuclear forces
1 source
What people are saying
Japan’s dangerous actions require us to defend regional peace and security more firmly through an absolute advantage in power
The international community, which seeks justice and peace, must not tolerate in the slightest Japan’s attempt to nuclear-arm itself, which will bring catastrophic consequences for regional and global stability