North Korea claims Japan rearming to realize ‘old ambitions’ - UPI.com

(UPI) -- North Korea accused Japan of "acts to realize overseas aggression" after Tokyo's launch of an advanced relay satellite with laser communication into orbit.

Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA said Monday "military movements" taking place in Japan are "intensified initiatives to realize the overseas invasion schemes of the Japanese reactionaries." The article's headline read, "The security of the [Japanese] islands is guaranteed only by renouncing the ambitions of aggression."

"Time may pass and the [Japanese] regime may change, but the fundamental militaristic nature of Japan remains unchanged," North Korean state media said.

The statement from Pyongyang's news agency comes at a time when Japan has been increasing defense spending to cope with threats from China and North Korea, launching communication satellites into space.