Navy to "Comprehensively Consider" Participation in Japan's Fleet Review

Ko Kwon-il, co-representative of the Gangjeong Village Navy Base Opposition Residents' Association, is speaking at the "2018 Navy International Fleet Review Opposition and Joint Action to Protect the Peace Island Jeju" press conference held at the Seoul People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy on the 4th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Japanese government has sent an invitation to the Republic of Korea Navy ahead of the Maritime Self-Defense Force International Fleet Review to be held this November in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that regarding participation in the 70th anniversary fleet review of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, "We will make a decision after comprehensively considering the concept and customs of the international fleet review, taking into account concerns." If the ROK Navy participates, it will be the first time in seven years since the Park Geun-hye administration in 2015.

On the 29th, at the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary session, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop responded to a related inquiry from Justice Party lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo, saying, "The term 'actively' in the report is not accurate."

In a fleet review, the military commander-in-chief of the host country boards the flagship (좌승함, Zaseungham) to review the ships of each country. At this time, each ship salutes the flagship. South Korea held international fleet reviews in 1998, 2008, and 2018.

The current Korea-Japan relationship has deteriorated to a degree incomparable to 2015, when the 'comfort women agreement' was reached. Additionally, issues such as the Rising Sun Flag (욱일기, Ukilgi), which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force uses as a military flag, have emerged, leading to anticipated public backlash. In 2018, Japan refused to raise the Rising Sun Flag as a condition and did not respond to the ROK Navy's invitation to the fleet review.

Minister Lee explained in response to lawmaker Bae's inquiry that Japan's absence from the ROK Navy's fleet review in 2018 was indeed due to the Rising Sun Flag controversy, but prior to that, Japanese ships participated twice in fleet reviews with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force flag raised.

However, lawmaker Bae pointed out that "participating in an international fleet review where the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force raises the Rising Sun Flag is inappropriate in terms of public sentiment" and urged for a clear stance to be established.

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