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| South Korean Navy ship Soyang takes part in Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of JMSDF, at Sagami Bay off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap |
Yoon takes political risks amid growing security threats from Pyongyang
By Jung Min-ho
South Korea took part in Japan's international naval fleet review for the first time since 2015 in Sagami Bay off Tokyo, Sunday, in a symbolic gesture for rapprochement amid intensifying threats from North Korea.
Soyang, a 10,000-ton logistics support ship of South Korea's Navy, was among the 18 vessels from 12 countries participating in the event to promote peace and commemorate the 70th founding anniversary of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
As the host, Japan showcased 20 vessels to celebrate the special day with the "rising sun" flags fluttering on them.
Many Koreans view the flag as a symbol of the former colonial ruler's wartime aggression and displaying it was surely going to draw criticism here. Yet the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took the risk and made the decision as security cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo have increasingly become important against the evolving nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang, which is now believed to be on the brink of its first nuclear weapons test since 2017.
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| Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Takanami leads the JMSDF fleet during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the JMSDF at Sagami Bay off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap |
South Korea's Navy took part in Japan's multinational fleet review in 2002 and 2015, while the JMSDF joined the ceremony hosted by the South in 1998 and 2008.
But Japan refused to participate in the 2018 fleet review on Jeju Island when tensions were high between the two countries over historical and other issues, including one in which Japan accused South Korea of targeting its patrol aircraft with a fire-control radar. The South denied the claims, saying that it was not operating a STIR-180 radar, but a MW08 radar for rescue operations at the time.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has opposed the idea of participating in the fleet review in Japan. Speaking at Friday's meeting in the National Assembly, Rep. Kim Byung-joo and Rep. Yoon Hu-duk said the government should not join such an event until Japan apologizes for its provocative warplane operation near South Korea's border.
More of such criticism is expected in the coming days. Over the past few weeks, opposition lawmakers have condemned the Yoon administration for conducting trilateral naval drills in response to North Korea's recent military threats, saying that Japan should not be trusted as a partner especially in the area of defense.
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| Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) soldiers, guests and military personnel from abroad watch the International Fleet Review on the JMSDF's multi-purpose destroyers Izumo (DDH-183) during the 70th anniversary commemoration of the foundation of JMSDF, at Sagami Bay off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap |
Despite Yoon's promise of improving relations with Japan, the two countries have still been struggling to reach a breakthrough over historical issues, including wartime forced labor and sexual slavery, with either side reluctant to make a compromise possibly due to political pressures at home.
For its part, the Kishida administration has reportedly been attacked by hawkish Japanese lawmakers, who maintain that he should not be too soft on South Korea.
Following the review, the Navy ship, Soyang, plans to join a multinational search and rescue exercise. The exercise will bring together service members from the United States, Britain, France, Australia and Canada among other countries.
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