Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Coming to the Korean Peninsula... Military Says "No Such Plan at All"

"US-Korea-Japan Anti-Submarine Training Conducted in International Waters"
"No Truth to 'Japan Entering Korean Peninsula Waters'"

The Ministry of National Defense categorically denied reports from some media outlets claiming that "Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) forces would participate in operations in the waters around the Korean Peninsula in case of emergency," stating that such claims are groundless.

Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular briefing held on the 2nd at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, "The combined forces of South Korea, the United States, and Japan conduct exercises such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) maritime interdiction drills or anti-submarine warfare exercises in international waters," adding, "Reports that South Korea and Japan discuss maritime security cooperation within our territorial waters are not true, and there are no plans to do so."

Defense Ministry Spokesperson Jeon Ha-gyu briefing [Photo by Yonhap News]

In response to the question, "Should we understand that the JMSDF will not come to the Korean Peninsula in the future?" he firmly stated, "There are currently no such plans at all." He further explained, "Currently, South Korea, the United States, and Japan conduct necessary exercises in international waters."

Earlier, a domestic media outlet cited multiple South Korean and Japanese diplomatic sources, reporting that "Following the South Korea-Japan summit last month, military exchanges have resumed, and there is a consensus on the need for cooperation between the two countries in anti-submarine warfare exercises, maritime interdiction drills, and anti-piracy operations," and that "In case of emergency, South Korea would provide missile information detected by the army to Japan, and Japan would support anti-submarine capabilities beyond international waters, including in the waters around the Korean Peninsula, with the two countries exchanging opinions on this approach."

Additionally, spokesperson Jeon responded to questions regarding the 2018-2019 incidents where Japanese Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft conducted threatening flights near South Korean naval vessels by saying, "We hope that South Korea and Japan will resolve this issue in a desirable manner," and "We plan to strengthen South Korea-Japan and South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation from a future-oriented perspective."

Spokesperson Jeon also addressed speculation that "U.S. nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) could be deployed to South Korea as early as the 19th of this month, coinciding with the G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan," stating, "Based on the 'Washington Declaration' agreement, South Korea and the United States are closely consulting on ways to expand the deployment of U.S. strategic assets," but added, "We cannot confirm plans or timing regarding the deployment of strategic assets, including SSBNs."

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