Off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan's EEZ = exclusive economic zone, the Japan Coast Guard's survey ship has been intermittently requested by the Korean Coast Guard ship to stop the survey since the morning of the 9th. protested to South Korea through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A similar cancellation request by a South Korean Coast Guard vessel was made last month.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, after 10:00 am on the 9th, the Japan Coast Guard's survey ship "Koyo" was located 110 km northwest of Mejima in the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan's exclusive economic zone, and the seafloor topography was detected. While conducting an investigation, a Korean Coast Guard vessel requested by radio to stop the investigation.
The request was, ``It is illegal to conduct surveys in South Korean waters. Stop the survey and leave immediately.''
In response, the Japan Coast Guard responded, ``We are conducting legitimate research activities in Japan's exclusive economic zone.
The Japan Coast Guard is continuing the investigation, but as of 5:00 pm on the 9th, six requests to stop were made every hour to one and a half hours.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, the Korean Coast Guard's request to stop the ship was made on the 29th of last month, and a protest was made to South Korea through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Japan Coast Guard has been surveying the surrounding waters since last month and will continue until the end of this month as scheduled.