Japan is trying to obliterate peace and stability by forming a military “nexus” with NATO, North Korea’s foreign ministry stated Monday, the latest in a string of rhetorical attacks against the alliance’s efforts to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The criticism comes after Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in an interview last week that Tokyo is in talks with NATO to establish the group’s first liaison office in the country.

“It is the ulterior intention of Japan to outpace the neighboring countries and turn itself into a military giant even with the backing of the U.S. and by inviting