ROK, US Navies to conduct Ieodo defense training today

By Jun Ji-hye

The navies of South Korea and the United States will carry out a joint drill today to rehearse defense of a submerged reef, known here as Ieodo, from outside forces.

The drill is part of the allies’ maritime maneuvers that began on Feb. 27 and will continue until mid-March in South Korean territorial waters on the West, East and South seas.

The Navy said in a statement that it is part of the annual spring Foal Eagle exercises involving land, sea and air maneuvers that will begin today and last through April 24.

Situated about 149 kilometers southwest of Jeju Island, the Ieodo was first discovered by the ROK Navy in 1951 after a series of shipwrecks.

China is laying claim to the rock and its surrounding waters, with its vessels often violating Korean territory near the area.

“The South Korean Navy will take the lead in helicopters practicing taking off from and landing on the deck of the Ieodo Ocean Research Station,” said the Navy. “Coast Guard units in Jeju Island will also participate in the drill.”

A naval officer noted that the ROK Navy’s Lynx antisubmarine helicopters will carry out training on taking off and landing on the research station, while the U.S. warships will be on maneuvers in the surrounding area.

Along with Lynx helicopters, South Korea will mobilize its ships, including 4,400-ton KDX-II type destroyer, the Ganggamchan, as well as P-3C patrol planes, while the Coast Guard will back the drill with two vessels and the Kamov helicopter.

From the U.S. side, the USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) destroyer and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters will take part. The destroyer arrived here on Feb. 25.

Ieodo, known internationally as Socotra Rock, overlaps the exclusive economic zones of both Korea and China. Beijing refers to the island as Suyan Rock. The submerged rock has abundant marine and oil resources, a key reason for China’s territorial claim to it.

Seoul built the Ieodo Ocean Research Station in 2003 to collect data on sea currents and meteorological phenomena.

Together with the Foal Eagle, the allies’ annual Key Resolve exercise will also take place from today through March 13.

North Korea has been showing allergic responses to the exercise, referring to it as “war practice” against the Pyongyang regime.

It has called for termination of the joint drills in exchange for a temporary suspension of nuclear tests, rebuffed by the allies.

China has been seeking to expand its military presence near the Ieodo area, apparently in preparation for a possible territorial dispute with Korea in the future.

To cope with the envisioned territorial conflict, the Navy has been seeking to set up a naval base on Jeju Island despite opposition from civic and environmental activists.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye