Japan Sets The Largest Military Development Budget Record Since The Second World War, North Korea's Salah And Hazardous Value

The test launch of the North Korean Hwasong-17 ICBM. (Source: KCNA)

North Korea condemned Japan's plan to build up its military force in a new security strategy on Tuesday, calling it dangerous and vowing to take retaliatory action, while also warning of an imminent intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Japan last week announced its biggest military build-up since the Second World War, due to tensions with hostile China and North Korea and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, sparking war concerns.

The announced budget value reaches 320 billion US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 4,994,000,000,000,000. The items on the shopping list over the next five years include interceptor missiles for ballistic missile defenses, attack and reconnaissance drones, satellite communications equipment, Lockheed stealth fighter Martin F-35, helicopters, submarines, warships and heavy transport jets.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry said Japan had effectively formalized "capacity for a preliminary attack" with its new strategy that would bring "radical" changes to East Asia's security environment.

The ministry also criticized the United States for "coupling and inciting the Japan re-environment and re-invasion scheme", saying the United States had no right to question North Korea's defenses.

"Japanese stupid actions seeking to satisfy its black-hearted intentions, a build-up of weapons for a re-invasion, under the pretext of implementing martial arts rights from legitimate DPRK exercises will never be justified and tolerated," a ministry official said in a statement, citing Reuters from KCNA December 20.

The spokesman called North Korea with the initials its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea will express its disapproval with actions to highlight Japan's "wrong and very dangerous" decision, the spokesman continued, warning "a fear will soon be felt".

North Korea is known to have tested missiles in unprecedented quantities this year, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) designed to reach mainland the United States that contradict international sanctions.

Several North Korean missiles have flown over Japan, or landed in nearby waters, drawing criticism from the US loyal ally.

Separately, Kim Yo-jong, sister sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hinted at technological advances in her ICBM system, criticizing the question of what North Korea said was her attempt to develop a spy satellite.

North Korea fired two medium-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Sunday, calling it an "important" test for the development of reconnaissance satellites expected to be completed in April.

Experts have cast doubt on North Korea's level of satellite technology. However, Kim Yo-jong ridiculed him and mentioned progress in his country's missile program, including the development of the ICBM.

North Korea has carried out ICBM fire tests at a steep angle. Meanwhile, analysts say a normal launch angle requires more advanced technology, to withstand the resulting heat during re-entry into the atmosphere.

"I can clear up their doubts about that," said Kim Yo-jong.

"They will recognize it immediately if we launch an ICBM by shooting straight from the real angle," he said.