DPRK official daily says Abe using security as excuse to revive militarism

PYONGYANG, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday accused Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of using security as an excuse to revive militarism and enable Japan to wage war overseas.

The official daily Minju Joson, published by the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, said in a commentary that at a meeting of the House of Representatives budget committee on Feb. 5, Abe claimed it is fully reasonable to specify the existence of the "Self-Defense Forces (SDF)", the Japanese unified military forces, in the constitution in view of Japan's "security".

"If 'security' of Japan is a matter of concern, as claimed by Abe, Japan should not deviate from the present constitution but remain true to it," the daily said, adding that Abe's attempt to specify the existence of the SDF in the constitution is no more than a "petty trick" to realize the "wild ambition for overseas expansion".

"He seeks to turn the SDF into a world-class elite one capable of fighting any combat and thus let Japan emerge a military giant," it said.

"That's why the Abe regime is leaving no means untried to revise the constitution, which stipulates that SDF is not allowed to have access to combat power," it said.

In January, Abe reiterated his commitment to amending Japan's war-renouncing constitution, saying he hoped 2018 would bring progress in the debate on the first-ever revision to the postwar constitution.

He also vowed to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities in the face of "the threats caused by the nuclear and missile programs" of the DPRK.

In a policy address in late January, Abe urged Japan's political parties to advance the debate on amending the constitution, specifically a key war-renouncing clause that restricts the activities of the SDF.

However, his plan to amend the constitution has drawn criticism from opposition parties as well as the public for "opening the way for unlimited use of force." Enditem