Amid the possibility that Japanese warships could enter Korea wearing a self-defense flag during the multinational maritime interdiction exercise to be held on the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense put forward a position that it is “usual international practice.”
Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular briefing on the 25th, “I can’t tell you right now whether or not they will come in wearing the flag of the Self-Defense Force.”
Spokesman Jeon said, “The Ministry of National Defense will apply the same principles and standards to all PSI member countries based on international customs and reciprocity.” , but I know it as a common thing that is commonly used around the world,” he explained.
Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Japanese and South Korean governments are coordinating a plan to enter Busan Port with a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate participating in a multinational maritime interdiction exercise hosted by South Korea at the end of this month.
Yomiuri said, “The Moon Jae-in government unilaterally took issue with the Rising Sun Flag and demanded that it be refrained from raising it.”
On the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense will host the PSI Maritime Interdiction Exercise (Eastern Endeavor 23), which will be held on the high seas in the southeastern part of Jeju as an opportunity to hold a high-level meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).
Following the 2010 and 2012 trainings, this is the third exercise conducted by Korea, and forces and personnel from Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Canada will participate. It plans to conduct drills to block ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and to search them on board.
At the training site, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, and representatives from countries participating in the PSI high-level meeting will board the Marado and observe the maritime interdiction exercise. After the drill, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop conducts a naval review of the Marado, Wanggeon, Milius, Hamagiri, Anzac, and 5002 ships in that order.
Controversy is expected in the process as the crew of the Japanese ship Hamagiri will salute Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop while wearing the flag of the Self-Defense Forces. Regarding this, Spokesman Jeon Ha-gyu said, “There is a slight difference between the Self-Defense Force and the Rising Sun Flag.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.