The South Korean military is planning to join a fleet review of the Self-Defense Forces for the first time, according to a Japanese source.
The fleet review is scheduled for Oct. 18 in Sagami Bay south of Tokyo. Maritime Self-Defense Force ships will form a parade that will be observed by the public and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe will deliver an address to SDF personnel.
The MSDF and the South Korean navy are also expected to conduct a joint drill on the high seas in October to practice search and rescue for maritime accidents.
The most recent such drill, the eighth of its kind, was carried out west of Kyushu in December 2013. The joint drills were first held in fiscal 1999.
A visit by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to the disputed Sea of Japan islands of Takeshima/Dokdo in 2012 stalled bilateral defense exchanges, but Japan and South Korea agreed to resume such events when their defense ministers met in Singapore in May, the first such talks in four years.
During the talks, Japanese defense chief Gen Nakatani asked South Korea to take part in the joint drill and the fleet review.
Promoting bilateral defense cooperation is aimed at contributing to helping improve relations between the two countries.
Behind the resumption of defense exchanges is a push from the United States, which has called on the two countries to improve relations in the face of North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile development programs.
In 2012, however, Tokyo and Seoul gave up signing a general security of military information agreement due to opposition from the South Korean public.
The two countries remain at odds over territorial and historical issues, adding uncertainty to whether bilateral defense exchanges will expand smoothly.
South Korea military to join MSDF fleet review in October | The Japan Times
The fleet review is scheduled for Oct. 18 in Sagami Bay south of Tokyo. Maritime Self-Defense Force ships will form a parade that will be observed by the public and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe will deliver an address to SDF personnel.
The MSDF and the South Korean navy are also expected to conduct a joint drill on the high seas in October to practice search and rescue for maritime accidents.
The most recent such drill, the eighth of its kind, was carried out west of Kyushu in December 2013. The joint drills were first held in fiscal 1999.
A visit by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to the disputed Sea of Japan islands of Takeshima/Dokdo in 2012 stalled bilateral defense exchanges, but Japan and South Korea agreed to resume such events when their defense ministers met in Singapore in May, the first such talks in four years.
During the talks, Japanese defense chief Gen Nakatani asked South Korea to take part in the joint drill and the fleet review.
Promoting bilateral defense cooperation is aimed at contributing to helping improve relations between the two countries.
Behind the resumption of defense exchanges is a push from the United States, which has called on the two countries to improve relations in the face of North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile development programs.
In 2012, however, Tokyo and Seoul gave up signing a general security of military information agreement due to opposition from the South Korean public.
The two countries remain at odds over territorial and historical issues, adding uncertainty to whether bilateral defense exchanges will expand smoothly.
South Korea military to join MSDF fleet review in October | The Japan Times
. Also, shouldn't Japanese Navy have these by now?
. Everyone and their mother knows you guys got super advanced toys.
