hankyoreh

Four officials of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) will observe the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, which will be conducted in East Sea from July 25-28. This marks the first time that JSDF has observed or participated in South Korea’s military exercises or the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises on adjacent seas near the Korean Peninsula.

A high official of the South Korean Defense Ministry commented on the situation Friday.

“Japanese Self-Defense Forces requested permission to observe the joint exercise, and we made the decision to accept after a consultation between South Korea and the United States,” said the official. “A Japanese colonel and other military officials will be on board the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and will observe the exercise over a two-day period.”

The official also explained Japan’s role as an observer.

“They will literally just observe the exercise,” said the official. “The Japanese Self Defense Forces’ officials will not actively participate in the exercise, but will just observe it.”

The official also explained the background for the observation and said that the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan share a common awareness of North Korea’s military threats such as its missile and nuclear provocations. The official said the situation presented a good opportunity for cooperation between the three countries.

The JSDF observation will take place in the midst of China’s sensitive response to the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises in the East Sea. Japan’s role is likely to add to existing tensions on the Korean Peninsula if China and North Korea issue unfavorable responses.

Moreover, since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Japan’s annexation of Korea, the JSDF observance of the exercise may cause controversy in South Korea.

A Defense Ministry official said in response, “The Republic of Korea Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-defense Force have been staging joint South Korea-Japan humanitarian search-and-rescue exercises since 1999.” The official also said, “In addition, the both countries’ navies are also participating in the Rim of the Pacific joint military exercises in adjacent seas near Hawaii.”

In other words, the official did not seem to indicate that Japan’s participation will become a serious issue.

The most up-to-date combat plane F-22s, aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and the largest transportation vessel in Asia Dokdo (14000t) will participate in the joint exercise which staged by South Korea and the U.S. in the East Sea from July 25-28.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]