North Korea calls Japan’s railgun test suicidal act of aggression

Newsweek unveils in a recent article that North Korea has issued a stern warning to Japan following reports of its planned test-fire of a prototype railgun, with state media suggesting that the advanced weapon could signal Japan’s intent to launch a preemptive strike on the nuclear-armed nation. North Korea’s media dubbed such an action a "suicidal act."

Railguns, which use electromagnetic force to propel metal projectiles at speeds exceeding Mach 5, are capable of inflicting significant damage without relying on explosives. These weapons are seen as a cost-effective solution to counter threats like hypersonic missiles, which are increasingly in use.

Japan’s railgun development officially began in 2016, and in 2023, the country conducted the first known shipboard test of the weapon. Another test is planned aboard an experimental warship to simulate real-world combat scenarios.

In a statement, North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) linked Japan’s growing military capacity to a broader goal of establishing a “new great Japanese empire.” The development of the railgun, along with other advanced weapon systems, is viewed by North Korea as an effort to enhance Japan’s capability for preemptive strikes against the DPRK and neighbouring countries. The KCNA quoted security analyst Kim Ryo Won as claiming that Japan aims to revive the ambitions of the World War II-era "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere," a concept that justified Japan’s territorial expansion.

Kim further warned that Japan’s "reckless military buildup" could lead to "the second defeat" for the country. Japan has been strengthening security ties with the US and South Korea, focusing on the North Korean threat and China’s rising assertiveness.

While the exact timeline for Japan’s railgun deployment remains unclear, China is also working on similar technology, with reports suggesting a failed shipboard test last year.

Meanwhile, the US Navy ceased its railgun programme in 2021, shifting its focus to hypersonic missiles.

By Naila Huseynova