[2020 National Audit] Japan Patrol Ships' Interference with Marine Surveys near Dokdo Increased Fivefold in 3 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The number of times Japanese patrol vessels interfered with South Korean research vessels conducting marine scientific surveys near Dokdo increased fivefold, from 3 times in 2017 to 16 times in 2019.

According to data received on the 21st from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries by Lee Sang-min of the Democratic Party of Korea, Japanese patrol vessels have been patrolling the outer perimeter of Dokdo's territorial waters at intervals of 3 to 4 days. The number of appearances increased from 80 times in 2017 to 84 times in 2018 and 100 times in 2019.

Furthermore, Japanese patrol vessels have continuously appeared in the waters near Dokdo, following South Korean vessels surveying fishery resources of Dokdo and the deep-sea ecosystem, monitoring and interfering with their activities by broadcasting, increasing from 3 cases in 2017 to 5 cases in 2018, and 16 cases in 2019.

Rep. Lee emphasized, "Even if the patrol vessels did not intrude into our territorial waters, interfering with our research vessels' survey activities is a clear violation of territorial sovereignty," and added, "We must move beyond passive responses to the blatant provocative acts of Japanese patrol vessels interfering with our vessels' surveys, protest against the interference with Dokdo surveys, and clearly convey our position regarding Dokdo."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.