North Korea's Kim Yo Jong denounces Japan's Tomahawk missile test

North Korean party official Kim Yo Jong publicly criticized Japan after its Defense Ministry announced the first test-firing of a U.S.-supplied Tomahawk cruise missile from a destroyer. Citing the Korean Central News Agency, she described the action as a camouflage for Japan's desire to become a military power and called the country a "war-criminal state." Kim appealed to the global community to remain vigilant against what she termed Japan's reckless pursuit of its old expansionist ambitions.

The missile test follows Japan's 2022 national security strategy, which allows the Self-Defense Forces to develop strike capabilities while adhering to its pacifist constitution. She added that verbal condemnations would not deter Japan and hinted that North Korea would seek to make Tokyo "regret" its actions, though she gave no specifics on possible retaliation. The remarks come as North Korea continues to prioritize naval modernization.