Kim Yo Jong threatens additional military options after Japan's Tomahawk missile test
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a statement via the Korean Central News Agency warning that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will adopt “additional military options” in response to Japan’s recent test‑firing of a U.S.–made Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai. She cited Japan’s participation in a U.S.–led joint drill in the Philippines in May and said the missile test shows Tokyo is moving toward a pre‑emptive attack capability, abandoning its post‑World‑II pacifist stance.
Kim Yo Jong accused the United States of enabling Japan’s military buildup by supplying Tomahawk missiles and modifying vessels for their operation. She described Japan as transforming into a “war state” and a “war criminal state,” and warned that Japan will “regret” its actions. Analysts note that Pyongyang is using Japan’s militarisation to justify its own weapons development. Japan has increased defence spending by 9.7% to $62.2 billion in 2025 (about 1.4% of GDP), the highest share since 1958.
Entities: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea · Japan · Kim Jong Un · Kim Yo Jong · Kim Yo‑jong · Tomahawk cruise missile · Tomahawk cruise missile · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 21 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong said Japan is transforming into a war state capable of pre‑emptive attacks. (Kim Yo Jong via KCNA)
- [● 21 SOURCES] North Korea will not remain a passive onlooker to Japan’s military evolution. (Kim Yo Jong via KCNA)
- [● 21 SOURCES] Analysts say Pyongyang is using Japan’s military modernisation as justification for its own weapons development. (Analysts cited in North Korean statements)
- [● 21 SOURCES] Japan participated in a U.S.–led joint military drill in the Philippines in May. (North Korean state media (KCNA))
- [● 21 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong accused the United States of enabling Japan’s military buildup by supplying Tomahawk missiles and modifying vessels. (Kim Yo Jong via KCNA)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong warned that North Korea would adopt “additional military options” in response to Japan’s actions. (Kim Yo Jong)
- [● 8 SOURCES] The statement is part of a series of North Korean commentaries denouncing US‑South Korea‑Japan security cooperation since July. (KCNA releases)
- [● 21 SOURCES] Japan test‑fired a United States‑made Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai. (North Korean state media (KCNA))
- [● 20 SOURCES] Japan increased its defence spending by 9.7% to $62.2 billion in 2025 (about 1.4% of GDP). (Japanese government data cited in North Korean statements)
- [● 20 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong warned that North Korea will adopt “additional military options” in response to Japan’s actions. (Kim Yo Jong)