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The JS Hamagiri, a destroyer with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, arrives in Korea’s naval base in Busan while flying the “Rising Sun” flag on May 29 ahead of multilateral drills on May 31. (Yonhap)

On Monday morning, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Hamagiri arrived at the Busan Naval Base while flying the “Rising Sun” flag, a symbol associated with Japanese militarism.

The warship entered the port to participate in a multinational maritime exercise aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, called “Eastern Endeavor 23,” which will take place in the waters south of Jeju Island on Wednesday.

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration did not raise any objections to the display of the Rising Sun flag, stating that the vessel was actually flying the ensign of the JMSDF, the design of which is different from the Rising Sun flag, in accordance with international conventions.

The Rising Sun flag, previously used as the flag of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, features a red circle symbolizing the sun with 16 red rays radiating outward. After Japan\'s defeat in World War II, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) adopted a flag similar to the Rising Sun but with fewer rays. However, the JMSDF continues to use the Rising Sun flag as its ensign.

When a JMSDF vessel is in port, it raises both the national flag of Japan and the Rising Sun flag (JMSDF ensign) on the bow and stern, respectively. However, when the vessel is at sea, the flag of Japan and the Rising Sun flag are both displayed on the highest mast of the ship. JS Hamagiri is expected to fly the controversial flag on its stern while in Busan and later display it on the ship\'s mast during the multinational maritime exercise on Wednesday.

Since 1954, Japanese naval vessels have been required by the Self-Defense Forces Law to fly the JMSDF ensign alongside the national flag of Japan. The website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the JMSDF ensign as a variation of the Rising Sun flag. However, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense adopted the position in November of last year that the JMSDF ensign is not the Rising Sun flag, as their designs are not exactly the same. This stance by the ministry reflects its awareness of the sentiment within South Korea that regards the Rising Sun flag as a symbol of Japanese militarism.

In the past, JMSDF vessels displayed the Rising Sun flag during international fleet reviews hosted by South Korea in 1998, during the Kim Dae-jung administration, and in 2008, during the Lee Myung-bak administration. However, as South Korea-Japan relations deteriorated, the display of the JMSDF ensign on Japanese vessels became a contentious issue between the two countries.

In November 2018, during President Moon Jae-in’s administration, South Korea extended an invitation to the JMSDF for an international fleet review organized by the Navy. However, when it was proposed that both countries only display their respective national flags without the Rising Sun flag, Japan strongly objected and ultimately decided not to participate. The following year, in 2019, when Japan hosted its own international fleet review, it did not extend an invitation to the South Korean Navy at all.

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense shifted its position after Yoon took office, stating that it is appropriate for JMSDF vessels to display their ensign in line with international customs. During another international fleet review organized by Japan in 2022, sailors from the South Korean Navy combat support ship, ROKS Soyang, saluted as they passed by a JMSDF vessel carrying Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The JMSDF vessel was flying the Rising Sun flag on its mast.

During a regular briefing on Thursday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu clarified that it is a “common international practice” for warships to display the flag of their country and the flag representing the country’s military or institution when entering a foreign port.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, countries including South Korea, the US, Japan, and Australia are scheduled to participate in a maritime exercise called “Eastern Endeavor 23.” This exercise is being held on the occasion of a high-level political meeting held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Following the exercise, South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup is set to inspect the participating warships aboard the ROKS Marado, a Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship. It is also expected that the JS Hamagiri will perform a salute as it passes by the ROKS Marado. This will be the first time a South Korean defense minister inspects a JMSDF vessel. The schedule and scale of the exercise may be subject to change depending on the weather.

By Kwon Hyuk-chul, staff reporter

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