North Korea warns of Asian arms race
North Korea today warned that Japan’s launch of spy satellites could trigger an arms race in north-east Asia.
“Japan will be held fully responsible for causing a new arms race in Northeast Asia,” a spokesman for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said.
And he added that Japan no longer has the right to demand North Korea stop launching its “satellites”.
In 1998, North Korea launched a rocket that it said was an attempt to put a satellite into orbit. The rocket flew over Japan and into the Pacific.
The spokesman’s comments were carried by the North’s KCNA news agency.
Earlier today, Japan launched its first spy satellites into orbit, giving Tokyo its own means of watching neighbouring North Korea’s long-range missile development and suspected nuclear weapons programme.
Pyongyang had warned before today that Japan’s plans to launch satellites were “a hostile activity” and a “grave threat” to the communist state.
The North Korean spokesman said the launch violated a declaration in September by the leaders of Japan and North Korea to seek better ties.
“Japan has lost all its rights to talk about our own satellite launches,” the spokesman said. His name was not given.
The launch comes amid tension over North Korea’s suspected efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
