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Destroyers partaking in the 2018 International Naval Review off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju, on Oct. 11, 2018. (Blue House photo pool)
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Seoul responds by saying it never even received an invitation
An official decision was made not to have the South Korean Navy participate in a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) naval review next month, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported on Sept. 24. In response to the report, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it had never received an invitation from Japan. Its answer was seen as indicating the position that Seoul had no reason to consider attending when Japan did not extend an invitation as host country. In a report citing a Japanese government official, the Yomiuri Shimbun said, “In response to the South Korean Navy’s refusal to acknowledge the facts regarding the use of fire-control radar on a JMSDF patrol aircraft last December or produce measures to prevent similar incidents from happening, the Japanese government has decided not to have the South Korean military participate in the review.” JMSDF holds naval reviews every three to four years, with warships invited from Japan’s allies; this year’s event is scheduled to take place in Sagami Bay off of Kanagawa Prefecture on Oct. 14. In addition to the US and UK, China is also reportedly participating in the review. Tokyo’s stance appeared to reflect ongoing tensions between the two sides since last year. JMSDF previously planned to send a destroyer to an international naval review held off of Jeju by the South Korean Navy last October, but decided against it after Seoul demanded that it not display the Rising Sun flag. Bilateral military exchanges were subsequently halted amid the resulting chill after a standoff between a South Korean Navy Destroyer and JMSDF patrol aircraft involving the use of radar and threatening flight activities. Frictions have recently intensified between South Korea and Japan with a South Korean Supreme Court ruling ordering compensation for forced labor conscription, Japan’s imposition of export controls and removal
