What Japan Said to the Korean Ship Conducting Marine Survey Around Dokdo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government reportedly issued a warning to a South Korean vessel conducting marine surveys around Dokdo, according to the Sankei Shimbun on the 1st.

Sankei reported, citing a Japanese government official, that the Onnuriho, a marine survey ship belonging to the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, was navigating around Dokdo on the 24th of last month. It added that about three Korean marine survey vessels were consecutively confirmed in the waters around Dokdo for about a week in late last month.

Sankei stated, "The Japan Coast Guard issued a warning to the survey vessels via radio, but the Korean side responded by asserting sovereignty over Dokdo and claimed it was a 'legitimate survey'." It further added, "After the Onnuriho left the territorial waters of Dokdo, it appears to have moved to the Japanese side of the Korea-Japan median line within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and operated survey equipment."

Sankei also reported, "Subsequently, when the Tamgu 22, belonging to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of Korea, and the Haeyang 2000, belonging to the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, appeared, the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels conducted surveillance activities." Sankei emphasized that it is unusual for multiple Korean survey vessels to be deployed near Dokdo during the same period.

Japan has unilaterally designated the waters around Dokdo as its own EEZ and has protested against South Korea's marine survey activities. When the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency conducted regular marine surveys around Dokdo in May and June, Japan demanded a halt. In response, the South Korean government stated, "We cannot accept Japan's objections to legitimate activities conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant domestic laws," firmly rejecting Japan's claims.

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