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North Korea has condemned the establishment of the US Space Force in Japan, labeling the move as a provocative step in the region.

Something you should know before you read: Last week, the United States officially established the US Space Force at Yokota Air Base in Japan to enhance its defense capabilities and strategic coordination with the Japanese military in the increasingly contested space domain. According to the US, the new unit will counter threats like North Korea’s missile activity and China’s growing assertiveness in space while providing advanced space surveillance and missile detection capabilities. US officials stated that the purpose of the new command is to bolster the US-Japan alliance, ensuring both nations are better prepared to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.  

What North Korea is saying: North Korea has accused the United States of transforming space into a battleground and using the newly established US Space Forces in Japan to pursue regional dominance under the guise of security. In a statement through its state-run Korean Central News Agency, Ri Song Jin, a researcher with the National Aerospace Technology Administration, argued that the US move is “another attempt by the United States to contain its strategic rivals and establish military supremacy in the Asia-Pacific region.” He accused the US of exploiting space, which he described as a “common asset of the whole mankind,” for offensive military purposes.

Ri further criticized the US, claiming its actions “clearly prove” that its military expansions are not defensive but designed to “deceive the international community” and escalate regional tensions.