SEOUL ¨C An editorial carried by North Korean ?state media KCNA on Friday criticized the expansion of the U.S. Forces Japan command, warning that a clash on the Korean Peninsula is ?now a matter of timing ?rather than ?just a possibility.
The editorial said ?the increase in U.S. Forces Japan headquarters personnel showed the command was becoming a full-fledged ¡°war ?command¡± and accused Washington of preparing Â鶹´«Ã½ Self-Defense Forces ?for conflict in the Asia Pacific region.
The comments followed remarks by ?Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, ?commander of U.S. Forces Japan, who told the media that ?headquarters staffing ?had been increased by 215 personnel ?from a year earlier to ?strengthen ?command functions and improve coordination with U.S. allies.
KCNA said recent U.S., South Korean and Japanese military cooperation had heightened regional ?tensions, and that U.S. Forces Japan would likely be among the first reinforcements deployed on the Korean Peninsula in the event of ?a ?conflict.
The editorial also accused Washington of ¡°military adventurism¡± ?that justified North Korea developing its ?nuclear capabilities as a deterrent.
The editorial was the fourth published by KCNA this month criticizing the United States, Japan and ?South Korea. North Korean officials have also made several statements denouncing the allies¡¯ military cooperation and what Pyongyang calls hostile policies.
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