Seoul must show strong resolve on Ieodo issue
The government on Monday protested China's recent inclusion of Ieodo, controlled by Korea, in its newly declared Air Defense Identification Zone (CADIZ) and made clear that it can't accept the air defense zone.
China's action appears primarily aimed at strengthening its sovereignty over the Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands in the South China Sea in the escalating Sino-Japanese conflict, but this should not be viewed lightly, given that the zone partly overlaps the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ).
Air Defense Identification Zones are not airspace recognized under international law but carry great weight, especially in light of national security.
With the declaration, China can oblige all aircraft entering the area to report and follow its instructions. This means that Korea must report to China when its aircraft fly over Ieodo, an underwater rock some 149 kilometers southwest of Korea's southernmost island of Marado.
True, China's weekend announcement on the new air defense zone drew immense protests. Japan summoned China's envoy to demand a roll-back of the plan, saying it would ''interfere with freedom of flights over the high seas.'' U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed deep concern and said the move raised "risks of an incident.''
What's most problematic is that Korea has yet to include Ieodo in its air defense zone although it is controlling the submerged rocks effectively and has been operating an ocean research station on Ieodo since 2003. In contrast, Japan included Ieodo in its air defense zone in 1969.
Korea's air defense zone was set up by the U.S. Pacific Air Force Command in 1951 with Ieodo excluded from the area, and the Korean government has not altered the zone since.
Korea had tried to include Ieodo in KADIZ several times but gave up because of Japan. That's because the Korean authorities worried that Japan might attempt to include Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its air defense zone, which could result in Dokdo becoming a disputed area. The resultant reality is that Korea must notify Japan of flights in advance whenever our aircraft fly over Ieodo.
Ieodo and the sea around it are in a key maritime route through which nearly all of our imports, including crude oil and raw materials, pass. In addition to their economic value arising from potentially abundant natural resources, the area is also strategically important.
The rocks had been the subject of a maritime dispute between Seoul and Beijing, which caused them to hold a string of negotiations. Since the talks ended with no progress in 2008, South Korea has been keeping a low profile under its "quiet diplomacy'' strategy.
While there is no need to be so emotional about no territorial issues, the government must show its strong resolve when our interest is at risk of being compromised by big powers. Hopefully, Seoul and Beijing will tackle the issue intensively during their defense strategy talks in Seoul this week.
The government on Monday protested China's recent inclusion of Ieodo, controlled by Korea, in its newly declared Air Defense Identification Zone (CADIZ) and made clear that it can't accept the air defense zone.
China's action appears primarily aimed at strengthening its sovereignty over the Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands in the South China Sea in the escalating Sino-Japanese conflict, but this should not be viewed lightly, given that the zone partly overlaps the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ).
Air Defense Identification Zones are not airspace recognized under international law but carry great weight, especially in light of national security.
With the declaration, China can oblige all aircraft entering the area to report and follow its instructions. This means that Korea must report to China when its aircraft fly over Ieodo, an underwater rock some 149 kilometers southwest of Korea's southernmost island of Marado.
True, China's weekend announcement on the new air defense zone drew immense protests. Japan summoned China's envoy to demand a roll-back of the plan, saying it would ''interfere with freedom of flights over the high seas.'' U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed deep concern and said the move raised "risks of an incident.''
What's most problematic is that Korea has yet to include Ieodo in its air defense zone although it is controlling the submerged rocks effectively and has been operating an ocean research station on Ieodo since 2003. In contrast, Japan included Ieodo in its air defense zone in 1969.
Korea's air defense zone was set up by the U.S. Pacific Air Force Command in 1951 with Ieodo excluded from the area, and the Korean government has not altered the zone since.
Korea had tried to include Ieodo in KADIZ several times but gave up because of Japan. That's because the Korean authorities worried that Japan might attempt to include Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its air defense zone, which could result in Dokdo becoming a disputed area. The resultant reality is that Korea must notify Japan of flights in advance whenever our aircraft fly over Ieodo.
Ieodo and the sea around it are in a key maritime route through which nearly all of our imports, including crude oil and raw materials, pass. In addition to their economic value arising from potentially abundant natural resources, the area is also strategically important.
The rocks had been the subject of a maritime dispute between Seoul and Beijing, which caused them to hold a string of negotiations. Since the talks ended with no progress in 2008, South Korea has been keeping a low profile under its "quiet diplomacy'' strategy.
While there is no need to be so emotional about no territorial issues, the government must show its strong resolve when our interest is at risk of being compromised by big powers. Hopefully, Seoul and Beijing will tackle the issue intensively during their defense strategy talks in Seoul this week.
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