EDITORIAL |  Japan-South Korea Defense Ties Resume with a Taiwan Emergency and North Korea in Focus

Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with his counterpart Shin Won-sik of South Korea at the May 31-June 2 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. The annual event is the region's premier security summit. South Korea and Japan agreed to take steps to prevent a recurrence of an incident that has dampened relations since December 20, 2018, when a South Korean naval vessel locked its fire-control radar on a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft. 

The South Korean side has not admitted it performed the radar lock-on. However, a full explanation of the facts has been shelved for now. In accepting the agreement, Kihara opened the door to resuming military interchanges between the two countries. Meetings of the defense ministers from Japan, the United States, and South Korea, are now in the works. So are meetings among the defense ministers of Japan, South Korea, and Australia. 

These efforts at security cooperation are essential if peace and stability are to be maintained for Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, and indeed the world. 

Radar Lock-on Frustration

Concerning the radar lock-on issue, it is extremely frustrating that South Korea has not admitted it was wrong. Also, the act was extremely dangerous and South Korea has not apologized. 

Distrust of the South Korean side certainly lingers among the Japanese public and within the Self-Defense Forces. It represents yet another example of Japan's indulgent diplomacy vis-à-vis South Korea evidenced in the way a blind eye is so often turned to unreasonable claims by Seoul. 

Regarding the measures that will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the appalling incident, Kihara told the press, "The MSDF's safety will be protected." On the other hand, Shin reportedly told the South Korean press corps, "The safety of South Korea's warships was ensured." 

Facing Common Threats

Granted that Japan and South Korea find themselves in the same boat because of common threats. That Japan opted to take measures to prevent the recurrence of such a problem and resume defense exchanges with South Korea reflects the seriousness of the security situation that confronts us. It boils down to two crises. One is the crisis of North Korea continuing to strengthen its nuclear and missile forces. And the other is the threat of China attacking Taiwan ー a Taiwan crisis. 

In addition, even if the issue has been set aside for now, it could be to Japan's disadvantage. In the event of a Taiwan emergency, if South Korea does not deter or manage a severe North Korean outburst, it could become difficult for Japan to ward off pressure from China in the direction of the Nansei Islands and Taiwan. For South Korea as well, Japan's cooperation is indispensable in the event of a crisis on the Korean Peninsula. Japan, after all, is home to US and UN-designated military installations, whose support would be needed. 

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Still a Need to Overcome Distrust

Japanese, US and South Korean defense ministers reaffirmed the importance of "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" in their meeting. Along with participants in the Japan-South Korea-Australia meetings, they discussed such things as how to respond to "regional security challenges." The necessity of the meetings only highlighted the urgency of deterring China. 

We should not forget that anti-Japanese sentiment has continued to run strong in South Korea. Also, Seoul's policies concerning Japan only showed considerable change after a change in administration. The current administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol has comparatively realistic views on security, giving us leeway to pursue cooperation. 

Nonetheless, even the Yoon administration will not admit that its own navy used its radar to irradiate a Japanese plane. It is easy to imagine that if leftwing politicians return to power in South Korea the current defense cooperation with Japan would quickly collapse. Nevertheless, that nation is our neighbor there is no choice but to try to get along with it. 

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

Keywords: editorial, South Korea, Japan-South Korea, radar lock-on, Shangri-La Dialogue, Minoru Kihara, Shin Won-sik, China, North Korea, Nansei Islands, Taiwan, Self-Defense Force, 

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