Korea-US-Japan Maritime Security Agencies Conduct First Joint Search and Rescue Exercise in Japan Over 4 Days

The Korea Coast Guard announced on the 7th that it conducted a joint search and rescue exercise with maritime security agencies from the United States and Japan in the waters near Maizuru Port, Japan, from the 3rd to the 6th.

This joint exercise, carried out as a follow-up to the "Letter of Intent for Cooperation" signed last month among the three countries' maritime security agencies, inherits the "Spirit of Camp David" agreed upon by the leaders of Korea, the U.S., and Japan in August last year. The Letter of Intent focuses on strengthening mutual cooperation systems, including securing dialogue channels among the three countries' maritime security agencies in response to maritime issues.

Until now, the Korea East Sea Regional Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard's 8th Regional Headquarters have continuously conducted joint search and rescue exercises in international waters since 2007, but this is the first time the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has participated.

The maritime law enforcement agencies of Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted a joint search and rescue exercise in the waters near Maizuru Port, Japan, from the 3rd to the 6th. [Photo by Korea Coast Guard]

The exercise was conducted under the assumption that a 14,000-ton cement carrier collided with a 474-ton U.S. cargo ship in foggy waters near Japan, causing a fire.

A 3,000-ton vessel from the Korea Coast Guard and a 1,500-ton vessel from the Japan Coast Guard were deployed for the exercise, while the U.S. side mobilized a 4,500-ton patrol ship and unmanned aerial vehicles from the Coast Guard Pacific Command. Through the exercise, the three agencies enhanced their response capabilities to maritime distress incidents, which have been increasing in scale recently, and strengthened their cooperation system.

Kim Jong-wook, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, said, "This exercise was conducted based on the strong cooperative relationship among Korea, the U.S., and Japan," adding, "We will continue to exchange and cooperate to improve the Coast Guard's maritime accident response capabilities."

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