Participation in the Japan Fellowship Ceremony for the first time in 7 years… A salute in the midst of the rising sun flag controversy

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The ROK Navy has participated in a naval frigate ceremony held by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for the first time in 7 years.

Although there was controversy over the salute of the Rising Sun flag, the government explained that it had taken the security situation into consideration.

Correspondent Park Sang-jin reports from Tokyo.

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Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

The ROK Navy's logistics support ship Soyang appears in front of four ships, including the 248m long light aircraft carrier Izumo carrying Prime Minister Kishida.

Among the ships of 12 countries, including the United States and Canada, which participated in the frigate ceremony, the Soyang ship, which appeared the ninth, saluted the ship that Prime Minister Kishida was riding on, and Prime Minister Kishida raised his hand to his chest to answer.

The maritime inspection is the highlight of the frigate ceremony held by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

It is the first time in 7 years that the ROK Navy has participated in a Japanese naval warfare ceremony since October 2015.

Previously, in Korea, there was a controversy over the participation in a ceremony to salute the Self-Defense Forces flag, which is no different from the Rising Sun Flag.

However, the government decided to participate on the 27th of last month in consideration of past participation cases, security conditions, and international customs to recognize self-defense warships.

In response, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized, "The Yun Seok-yeol administration made the Korean Navy to salute the Japanese Rising Sun Flag despite the opposition of the people."

In a speech on the ship, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Japan's security environment, including in the East China Sea, is getting stricter."

[Kishida / Prime Minister of Japan: (North Korea) is repeatedly firing ballistic missiles, including ICBM-class.

North Korea's development of nuclear missiles is absolutely unacceptable.]

The ROK Navy will participate in the disaster vessel relief drill held following the main event of the frigate ceremony, and the Chief of Naval Operations will participate in the Western Pacific Naval Symposium to be held from today (7th). .