Japan’s defence chief warns of possible N Korea provocation
Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera urged caution on Friday because more provocation was possible from North Korea on October 10, when the start of lower house election campaigns in Japan coincides with one of the North’s main anniversaries.
North Korea has often marked significant events on its calendar by conducting weapons tests, such as its fifth nuclear test last year on September 9, its founding anniversary. Onodera said October 10 marks an important anniversary for North Korea. It is the date the North celebrates the founding of the North Korean communist party.
“I understand it is an important anniversary for North Korea. We would like to maintain
TOKYO:
a sense of urgency,” Onodera told reporters.
October 10 is also coincidentally the same day that campaigns will begin in Japan for parliament’s lower house election 12 days later after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the chamber on Thursday.
Onodera’s warning echoed a comment by South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, who said during a meeting with President Moon Jae-in he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18, but gave no details.
October 18 also marks the start of China’s all-important Communist Party Congress.