South Korean Navy Suspends Joint Search and Rescue Exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

It was learned on November 17 local time that the South Korean Navy has conveyed its intention to "suspend the joint search and rescue exercise originally scheduled within this month" to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). An official from Japan's Ministry of Defense stated regarding this matter, "The South Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will readjust the timing for this joint exercise."

According to sources related to the Japanese government, this joint search and rescue exercise between the South Korean and Japanese navies had been conducted ten times between 1999 and 2017. It was subsequently suspended due to a dispute triggered in December 2018 by an incident where a "Japanese patrol aircraft flew close to a South Korean naval vessel and was subsequently locked by the South Korean fire-control radar." Therefore, the planned restart of this exercise had been viewed by various sectors as a "symbol of enhanced cooperation" between the two sides.

Previously, Japan had considered providing refueling support at an Okinawa base for the South Korean Air Force's aerobatic team, the "Black Eagles," early this month, as they were scheduled to participate in an airshow in Dubai, UAE. However, Japan later refused to provide refueling support for the "Black Eagles" on the grounds that some of the team's aircraft had previously participated in routine training near the disputed territory of Dokdo (called Takeshima by Japan), leading to the "Black Eagles" team being unable to participate in the Dubai Airshow.

Following Japan's refusal to provide refueling support for the "Black Eagles" flight team, the South Korean military canceled plans for its military band to participate in Japan's "Self-Defense Forces Music Festival," scheduled for November 13-15 in Tokyo.

Reports indicate that an official from the Japan Self-Defense Forces stated, "Although defense exchanges between the two countries have been repeatedly put on hold since Japan refused refueling support to the South Korean Air Force, both governments hope to calm the situation to avoid affecting the good South Korea-Japan relationship." Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Kōizumi also commented on this, saying, "There will be no rift in South Korea-Japan relations, and we hope to continue cooperation and exchanges."