Military Cooperation Between South Korea and Japan

Late October marks the first time since December 2013 that South Korea's Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will conduct a joint search and rescue military exercise. South Korean officials have also stated that on October 18, South Korea will send a KDX destroyer, part of Korea’s new series of guided missile destroyer ships, to be reviewed by the Japanese Navy. This review will be the second time since 2002 that South Korean naval vessels participate in a Japanese fleet review. During a Parliamentary audit on Tuesday, Navy chief Adm. Jung Ho-sup said that according to his personal opinion, Japan should be included in South Korea's joint military exercises with the United States of America. Stressing the rise in North Korea's naval presence, Jung added that military cooperation with Japan would be helpful, if not necessary.

According to the South Korean Navy's statement, "North Korea's military has been increasing the number of naval vessels and bringing in firepower reinforcement." The Navy also stated that North Korea has been increasing its presence along the Northern Limit Line, while adding 10 new high-speed wave-piercing vessels and placing three types of Very Slender Vessels (VCVs), undetectable by radars, on either side of the peninsula.

These recent developments not only highlight the continuing tension between North and South Korea, but also demonstrate the more peaceful and cooperative route that South Korea is taking with Japan— its former colonizer. Although the past led to some continuing animosity between the two countries, such military cooperation seems to point the relationship in a more positive direction.