Tokyo, Seoul to Agree to Prevent Radar Incident Reoccurrence
Tokyo, May 20 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo and Seoul are seen agreeing on measures to prevent a reoccurrence of a 2018 incident in which a South Korean warship directed its fire control radar at a Japanese Self-Defense Force patrol plane, it was learned Monday.
By affirming such measures at an upcoming meeting of their defense ministers, the two nations hope to boost bilateral defense ties, which remain stalled due to the incident.
The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit, better known as Shangri-La Dialogue, to be held in Singapore from May 31.
It will be the first meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and his South Korean counterpart, Shin Won-sik, and the first talks between the two nations' defense ministers since June last year.
During his envisioned trip to Seoul, expected for this month, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is also seen discussing with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol efforts to bolster bilateral security cooperation.
In December 2018, when Yoon's predecessor, Moon Jae-in, was president, a South Korean naval vessel directed its fire control radar at a Maritime SDF patrol aircraft over the Sea of Japan.
Tokyo lodged a complaint, but Seoul refused to admit the radar lock-on and claimed that the MSDF aircraft engaged in a provocative flight.
Since Yoon took office in 2022, the two countries' overall ties, which fell to the worst level since the 1965 normalization of the bilateral diplomatic relations mainly due to the wartime labor issue, has improved drastically.
Despite the development, however, the relations between the two countries' defense authorities remain somewhat strained, overshadowed by the radar lock-on issue.
At the envisaged meeting of the defense ministers, the two sides are expected to agree on preventative measures featuring the strict observance of the multinational code of conduct to prevent collisions of vessels and aircraft during unplanned encounters at sea.
In light of the severe security environment, Japan, the United States and South Korea are deepening their defense cooperation within the trilateral framework.
Against the background, the two ministers are expected to discuss mutual visits by defense officials and enhancement of joint defense exercises between their countries at the planned meeting.
Meanwhile, some within Japan's Defense Ministry are concerned that the meeting may trigger a public backlash if the government is seen as shelving efforts to get to the bottom of the incident, with Seoul still denying the lock-on.
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