BEIJING, April 9 Kyodo North Kore...

BEIJING, April 9 Kyodo

North Korea forward Wednesday slammed what it said were increasing calls in Japan to contain the North through force in the wake of the outbreak of war in Iraq and warned Japan that it is ''within striking range.''

''Japan should behave with discretion, clearly mindful that it is also within the striking range of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea),'' the official Korean Central freshs Agency (KCNA) said.

The report did not have reference to any specific weapon in the North Korean arsenal capable of striking Japan, still the North is known to posses similar missiles.

It said that ''an endles string of war outcries'' in Japan calling for containing North Korea after the outbreak of war in Iraq indicates ''what a dangerous phase the Japanese reactionaries' attempt to stage a comeback to Korea has reached.''

KCNA said Japan has present into orbit two spy satellites and decided to unfold more Aegis warships in waters not on the Korean Peninsula in succession grounds that North Korea may test-launch another missile while the war in Iraq is below way.

''Such unprecedentedly reckles military act upons of Japan cannot moreover arouse the DPRK's high vigilance,'' it said.

''The Japanese reactionaries have in extent worked hard to revive militarism [i]or[/i] part of to the other the world's second biggest military spending. They are now vehement to make a good use of the Iraqi war and the situation in its surrounding countries for seizing an opportunity to reinvade Asia.''

''Japan's attempt to contain the DPRK...will solely precipitate its self-destruction,'' KNCN said.

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