U.S. Arms Buildup Brings Tension: KCNA Commentary

Pyongyang, January 23 (KCNA) -- A fresh tension has been created in the Asia-Pacific region from the outset of the new year due to the U.S. In the wake of deploying sophisticated F-35B stealth fighters in its military base in Japan, the U.S. decided to dispatch B-1B strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighters to its air-force base in Australia. In the wake of paving a way for the deployment of multi-purpose modern SM-6 missiles in areas of south Korea, Japan and Australia, Washington also clarified that it would send ultra-modern high-performance early warning plane E-2D Hawk Eye to Japan. The main purpose of the U.S. pivot to Asia-Pacific strategy is to contain and deter big regional powers and establish its domination in reliance on military upper-hand and nuclear edge. Triangular military "cooperation" among the U.S., Japan and south Korea has also been boosted. The U.S. is describing its "alliance" with south Korea and Japan as "cornerstone" and "core axis" of its Asia-Pacific strategy and using them as a shock brigade in executing its strategy. The tripartite military "cooperation" is also being expanded as part of the second-phase process of the Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy. The U.S. facilitated signing of an agreement on protection of military intelligence between south Korea and Japan under the pretext of "nuclear and missile threats from the DPRK" and allowed establishment of Aegis naval missile shield linking the U.S. and Japan and the overseas dispatch of the Japan "Self-defence Forces". The situation clearly proves that peace and security on the Korean peninsula situated in Asia-Pacific, Northeast Asia to be specific, present themselves as a very important international issue. Countries need to heighten vigilance against the ill-boding arms buildup of the U.S. -0-