S. Korea Stages Military Drill Near DokdoSouth Korea's Navy and maritime police Wednesday staged a massive military exercise near Dokdo, a set of islets in the East Sea controlled by South Korea.
The annual drill comes after Japan earlier this month decided to describe the South Korean islets as its territory in a handbook for middle school teachers, sending its relationship with Seoul chilling.
"The Dokdo defense exercise is aimed at removing enemy threats that will begin with a simulated infiltration of the territorial waters around Dokdo by imaginary enemy forces," Yonhap News quoted the Navy as saying.
The joint exercise involved six naval ships, including a 3,000-ton destroyer armed with Harpoon and Sea Sparrow missiles, two police ships and P-3C reconnaissance planes, according to the Navy.
South Korean Air Force's newest fighter jet, the F-15K, also took part in the exercise.
"While reaffirming and solidifying our determination to guard the Dokdo islets through the exercise, We will examine its defense posture in the area," the Navy said.
Japan has long claimed sovereignty over the islets, which have been historically controlled by Korea, but this is the first time Tokyo has asserted its territorial claim in school textbooks.
Dokdo was annexed by Japan during the country's colonization of Korea, which began in 1910. Korea regained its independence in 1945 and has since controlled the islets, permanently stationing maritime police since 1952.
The drill was a first of two scheduled major exercises near the islets this year. The annual military maneuvers had previously been held in a low-key manner but were made public this year.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, accompanied by two Cabinet ministers, visited the islets Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking official to do so.
Japan criticized Han's trip. "I don't think an action like this to highlight the differences in positions is very appropriate," said Japanese government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura Tuesday.
The US Board on Geographic Names has changed its classification of the islets from a territory of South Korea to one with "undesignated sovereignty."
Source
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/07/113_28452.html
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