Update of East Sea naval intelligence planned
Amid continuing diplomatic tension between South Korea and Japan over ownership of the Dokdo islets in the East Sea, the South Korean military will build up its maritime surveillance capabilities in the surrounding waters. The Ministry of National Defense demanded an increase in its 2007 budget, in order to push through a project to install a state-of-the-art command control system, the Korean Naval Tactical Data System (KNTDS), in its patrol boats. With the system in place, the ministry would be able to relay real-time information on maritime situations surrounding the Korean Peninsula through satellite technology. The KNTDS, which was first provided to the 2nd Fleet in the West Sea in 1999, displayed powerful capabilities in accurately catching the movements of North Korean ships, resulting in a South-North naval clash that year when a Northern ship was detected in Southern waters.The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to install the KNTDA to boats deployed in the 1st Fleet, which defends the East Sea; the 2nd Fleet, responsible for the West Sea, and the 3rd Fleet, covering the South Sea. The DAPA said it would begin installation next year and expects completion by the end of 2008. While the advanced system has been provided to some destroyer ships and large convoys, smaller-sized 1,000-ton patrol boats have not yet had the KNTDS installed. A navy official said, "So far, the 1st Fleet in the East Sea has had insufficient capabilities in terms of advanced intelligence system, compared with the 2nd Fleet in the West Sea, where the Northern Limit Line is designated. Now with the installment of state-of-the-art KNTDS, it will witness improvement of maritime operational capabilities." Currently, the coast guard takes primary responsibility for patrolling and defending the waters around the Dokdo islets, but the navy is conducting surveillance at the rear, ready to be mobilized immediately in case of an unexpected incident. Regarding protection of maritime sovereignty for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the East Sea, President Roh Moo-hyun said on June 22, "South Korea should build up its intelligence capability at least to the level of Japan." Japan’s claims to Dokdo have been controversial because the island came under its control when it began colonial rule of South Korea, which lasted officially from 1910 to 1945. The islets have a total of two inhabitants, an elderly couple. However, the waters surrounding the islets are used heavily by the fishing industry.
