Maritime Self-Defense Force observation ship Korean military invitation to see off Strict Japan-Korea relations on the background September 24 18:21

The Japan Self-Defense Force revealed that it had refused the invitation of the Korean army because the harsh Japan-Korea relationship continued and the environment was not well-organized for the observation ship ceremony to be held next month.

The Self-Defense Force observation ship ceremony is held almost once every three years, and it will be held in Sagami Bay off Kanagawa Prefecture on the 14th of next month.

We have been calling on the Navy of each country since 2012, and according to the announcement of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, this time, ships and aircraft will be dispatched from seven countries including the United States and Australia.

On the other hand, the Korean army that participated last time in 2015 will not participate.

Maritime Self-Defense Forces leader Hiromi Yamamura said at a press conference on the 24th that “the relationship between Japan and South Korea has been extremely difficult, and that the environment for inviting Korean ships to the spectatorship is well prepared. As the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Force, we made a comprehensive decision, ”he said.

On the other hand, Mr. Yamamura said, “We believe that the cooperation between Japan, South Korea and the United States and Japan is important, and as a Maritime Self-Defense Force, we would like to appropriately consider exchanges with the Korean Navy while taking into account the government's response status. ”Expressed his desire to continue exploring exchanges at the unit level.

In addition, Chinese naval vessels participated for the first time in this ship's observatory, and defense exchanges between Japan and China, which had been stagnant, over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, proceeded.

Secretary of the Secretary of the Secretary of State

During the afternoon press conference, the secretary of the secretary revealed that the Korean military would not be invited to the Maritime Self-Defense Forces observation ship held next month, as the environment was not well prepared as the relations between Japan and Korea deteriorated.

The Korean Ministry of Defense announced on May 24 that the Korean army would not participate, as it was not invited by the Self-Defense Forces.

Regarding this, Secretary of Secretary Jun said at a press conference in the afternoon that “the environment for inviting South Korea is not well prepared for this year ’s observation ship, given that Japan-Korea relations continue to be very difficult.” He stated that he would not invite Korean troops to the Maritime Self-Defense Forces ship observation ceremony.

On the other hand, the secretary of the secretary of the government said, “The cooperation between Japan, the ROK and Japan, the US and the ROK is important as the security environment in Japan and around the region becomes increasingly severe, with North Korea repeatedly launching short-range ballistic missiles. With regard to cooperation and exchanges between South Korean defense authorities, I would like to respond appropriately, taking this perspective into account. "

Korea participated twice

The SDF observation ship ceremony is held almost every three years, and foreign naval vessels also participate.

Among them, the Korean army participated for the first time in the 2002 international observation ship ceremony in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.・ Ships were dispatched to the 2015 cruise ship ceremony.

The Ministry of Defense did not disclose whether the Korean military was invited for the observation ceremony to be held next month, but according to officials of the Ministry of Defense, although the invitation was considered within the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, the relations between Japan and Korea were worsened. It means that the invitation was not sent due to political judgment.