Additional Dokdo Defense Drills to be Conducted in the Second Half of the Year [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

by Yang Nakgyu

Published 22 Aug.2024 08:57(KST)

Updated 22 Aug.2024 09:06(KST)

Private session held on the 21st... Fifth under the Yoon administration

The military authorities conducted a closed-door Dokdo defense drill. This is the fifth Dokdo defense drill under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and additional drills are planned for the second half of this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A military official explained, "On the 21st, we conducted the East Sea Territorial Defense Drill in the East Sea," adding, "It is a guideline to conduct the East Sea Territorial Defense Drill twice a year, so we plan to conduct it once more within this year."

The military authorities refer to the Dokdo defense drills conducted twice annually near Dokdo as the 'East Sea Territorial Defense Drill.' These drills are regularly conducted to protect the territory and citizens' property. The drills were first implemented in 1986 and have been regularly held twice a year since 2003. This time, naval and coast guard vessels participated, but it is reported that no Marine Corps troops landed on Dokdo.

In the past, the military authorities conducted relatively large-scale Dokdo defense drills publicly, mobilizing Air Force fighter jets and Marine Corps landing troops, and announcing the training plans in advance. Under the current administration, four East Sea Territorial Defense Drills have been conducted, but on a relatively smaller scale and without prior notice to the media. The decision to conduct the drills privately is interpreted as considering Japan's opposition.

Whenever the Dokdo defense drills became known, Japan protested to our government. According to NHK, Hiroyuki Namazu, Director of the Asia-Oceania Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called Kim Jang-hyun, Political Minister at the Korean Embassy in Japan, and asserted, "Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is clearly Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law," adding, "We absolutely cannot accept this and deeply regret it." The Japanese Embassy in Korea is also reported to have lodged a similar protest with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.