S Korea conducts war games to defend islands against Japan

So no more exercises about NK but Japan becomes a threat? What are these guys smoking?

They should have put these off, the timing couldn't have been worse.

They are not Japanese friend. No problem.

} The two neighbors are also mired in a long-running feud over Japan's wartime sexual slavery {

No they're not, the Koreans just like to bring it up every few months, it's like their "Fake News"..sort of...

even though it's not fake.

Not a big deal.

Very provocative and expensive.

@gelendestrasse

Japan becomes a threat?

Japan was always a threat to Korea.

@ paradoxbox

the timing couldn't have been worse.

What's wrong with timing? Korea has been carrying out this drill twice a year since 2003. It's not like this is something new.

Korea doing this now is a very bad show of faith to the Japanese imo. Why do this a week after the summit? Because the truth is that the South Koreans dislike Japan much more than they do NK.

I just checked the islands on a map.

If Korea and Japan start a war around these, I will crack a nut.

I dont get why Japanese would continue to bring these up. Is there any value in claiming these islands? They are closer to Korea from what i can see (the nearest island to them is Korean), and its not like they will ever actually win them back from the Koreans.

I get it that Abe would keep pushing for it to keep the right wingers happy. But how much popularity would he lose if he just said "as a gesture of goodwill, we withdraw our claims to these islands in an effort to improve East Asian relations"

@afanofjapanToday: "I dont get why Japanese would continue to bring these up." Did you read the same article as we did? The article is titled: "S Korea conducts war games to defend islands against Japan," not 'Japan conducts war games to defend islands against S Korea."

When enemy is ahead there, but it seems that they and enemy shoot behind their ally. It is understandable that NK and SK are friend each other.

I dont get why Japanese would continue to bring these up. Is there any value in claiming these islands?

Natural resources. If Japan owns the islands, they own the sea around them up to a certain distance, including any natural gas taken from the sea floor.

Samit Basu "Japan was always a threat to Korea."

Nope China (since the 50's its proxy NK) was.

afanofjapanToday  08:48 am JST

I dont get why Japanese would continue to bring these up. Is there any value in claiming these islands? They are closer to Korea from what i can see (the nearest island to them is Korean), and its not like they will ever actually win them back from the Koreans.

Because it was Japanese to start with. After WWII the US even used it for bombing training. When the Syngman Rhee line was drawn in 1952 this island was artbrarily included. Even the U.S. was alarmed and advised Japan t take SK to the ICJ. To date Japan has tried to settle the dispute at the ICJ but SK has continued to refuse, SK then illegally occupied the island in 1954 and these military exercises twice a year for the last 15 years are to hold onto what they stole. If you want to worry about "right wing" anything, worry about South Korean nationalism.

"In March 1953, the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee decided to release Takeshima from the designation of a bombing range for the U.S. Forces. This enabled Japanese to resume fishing around Takeshima, but it was confirmed that Koreans were also engaging in fishing around the island. In July of the same year, a Japanese patrol vessel of the Maritime Safety Agency (now the Japan Coast Guard) demanding that Koreans engaged in illegal fishing leave Takeshima was fired upon by Korean authorities who were protecting the Korean fishermen."

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/takeshima/page1we_000064.html

@thepersoniamnow

Because the truth is that the South Koreans dislike Japan much more than they do NK.

Is that news?

@Bintaro

If Korea and Japan start a war around these, I will crack a nut.

If the war was to start, then you are going to witness the Japanese defense ministry building and the Prime Minister's residence up in flame in a hour because* *the ROK has 5,000 ballistic and cruise missiles originally aimed at North Korea, ready to be turned around and launched toward Tokyo instead.

@afanofjapan

Is there any value in claiming these islands?

Yes. The EEZ. Japan pours concrete over an underwater coral reef to build an artificial island the size of a house and proclaim a 200 nm radius EEZ around it. It was Japan that taught China how to build artificial islands in the South China Sea.

But how much popularity would he lose if he just said "as a gesture of goodwill, we withdraw our claims to these islands in an effort to improve East Asian relations"

Any prime minister who is willing to do that not only has to resign, but risks his life from assassination attempts by Japan's rightwingers.

@OssanJapan

it was Japanese to start with. 

It's not.

When the Syngman Rhee line was drawn in 1952 this island was artbrarily included. 

And the US drew the KADIZ to include the Liancourt Rocks on Korea's side in 1950. Even the US back in the 1950 understood the Liancourt Rocks belonged to Korea.

Japan later accepted the US decision by drawing JADIZ to exclude the Liancourt Rocks in the 1960s.

Because it was Japanese to start with.

Oh, in that case, give Hokkaido or Ezo back to the Ainus, and give Okinawa back to the Ryukyuans.

Smokescreen by SK who know Japan would never attack Takeshima. The real problem lies firther south.

They are more concerned about Socotra Rock (Ieodo, Parang Do, Leo Island) which the Chinese (Suyan Rock) claim and could and might take any time they like.

Spellcheck. 'further' south even...

Oh, in that case, give Hokkaido or Ezo back to the Ainus, and give Okinawa back to the Ryukyuans.

Not this crap again.

You do realize that the Ainu also live(d) in Sakhalin? Do you insist that Putin returns that territory also?

As for Okinawa, it was US territory after the war before it was returned to Japan after WW2. Why not ask the locals which they prefer before you decide on their behalf. Or better yet, show proof of a majority of Okinawans who want independence.

And if you really want t go down that route, Japan wasn't always a unified country. Do you want Nara, Shimane, Fukuoka, etc all declaring indepence too?

FWIW, I'm from a minority too. Yes, we have our language and culture. No, we don't want independence. Recognition is just fine thanks.

And, yet, people accuse Japan of being the hateful, 'warmongering' one.

Great job South Korean government, cowardly two faced movement that should show the Japanese government their true intentions behind the smiles.

Unhelpful behaviour by South Korea in this period of improving relations in the region. Japan and S Korea want to improve relations (or claim they want to). It would have been a very opportune time for S Korea to make an announcement that they were suspending war games.

@nandakandamanda

Smokescreen by SK who know Japan would never attack Takeshima.

I am surprised that you didn't know Korea and Japan almost went to war around the Liancourt Rocks in 2006.

@oldman_13

people accuse Japan of being the hateful, 'warmongering' one.

Japan plays the role of warmonger by claiming islands that it doesn't own, such as the Liancourt Rocks and the Diaoyu Islands.

cowardly two faced movement that should show the Japanese government their true intentions behind the smiles.

Huh, Japanese government knows that Korea wouldn't hegitate to open fire on incoming Japanese warships that cross the territorial waterline.

@cucashopboy

Unhelpful behaviour by South Korea in this period of improving relations in the region.

Improving relations doesn't involve Japan. Relations with Japan remains ice cold for all parties, including North Korea, the ROK, and China.

I fail to see the point of South Korea doing this. Is Japan going to invade those islands?

A few missiles and that's the end of South Korea's occupation, no need for troops.

Its all about gas, fish etc.

Hmm, defending against a possible attack from Japan... Seems like South Korea could do with an Article 9 too.

The Dear Leader must look strong against the imperialist Japanese for his people. Moon's regime shall not fall. mansei

Dear leader = President Moon, in case I didn't specify well enough. Sorry.

Sure the anti Japan alliance :K.J., XI, Putin they were laughing off their jaw! Drills against N.K. call off but drill against Japan carry on and it is kick off by S.K.! This is nothing a meaning excercise but a political message sending! Thanks for sharing Mr.Moon you are very special!

@Matt Hartwell

fail to see the point of South Korea doing this.

Well, Korea's doing what it has been doing biannually since 2003.

Is Japan going to invade those islands?

Japan almost did in 2006.

A few missiles and that's the end of South Korea's occupation, no need for troops.

LOL, Korea has 5,000 ballistic and cruise missiles, Japan has zero.

This is why Abe san won't attempt what Koizumi tried to do in 2006, because the balance of military power has shifted to Korea's side.

Ridiculous but has been going on for so long now.  Like Japan would ever invade these islands......

Best be prepared. History repeats itself often!

WA4TKG: "No they're not, the Koreans just like to bring it up every few months, it's like their "Fake News"..sort of..."

And yet I bet you're one of those people who say "It's different" when Japan brings up the abduction issue despite NK saying, more than once, "It's resolved", aren't you? Japan has not SINCERELY atoned, so they are most certainly still on the issue.

In any case, it's a shame they're doing this, but they're likely in part doing it in one way or another to show NK. Japan really has had nothing to do with seeking resolution and nuclear disarmament besides threats, and so this sends a message that SK is abiding by US-led "demands" to stop war games with NK, while still showing their force and focusing on a government that has not been friendly in a number of ways.

Besides, they are South Korean islands, so why not? Japan has had simulations of how to protect the Senkakus, have they not? Or is that "different".

So many anti-Japanese & hate-mongers here.

Every time i see this photo, i wanna go scuba diving there. Why not make disputed islands nature reserves？

@Samit Basu

Is this how you are taught in Korea? Here is some enlightenment for you.

*And the US drew the KADIZ to include the Liancourt Rocks on Korea's side in 1950. Even the US back in the 1950 understood the Liancourt Rocks belonged to Korea.*

'South Korea had demanded that the MacArthur line established after World War II continue to be enforced, though on August 10, 1951, the United States sent Korean Ambassador Yang You Chan the Rusk documents, stating that the official policy of the United States was that the MacArthur line would be abolished by the Treaty of San Francisco. The treaty was signed on September 8 of the same year, about a month after the documents were sent, and was to come into effect on April 28, 1952. In response, the South Korean government declared the Syngman Rhee Line three months before this date, when the extinction of the MacArthur line and the return of sovereignty to Japan were meant to be established.

According to the Report of Van Fleet Mission to Far East made in 1954, the U.S. government maintained that the one-sided declaration of the Syngman Rhee Line was illegal under international law.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngman_Rhee_Line

Japan later accepted the US decision by drawing JADIZ to exclude the Liancourt Rocks in the 1960s.

Can you be more specific what you are talking about? As far as I know, the U.S. never declined Rusk document and continue to uphold their position upon this dispute as 'illegal occupation by Korea'.

Is Japan going to invade those islands?

Japan almost did in 2006.

I hope you are not talking about the incident which Japan prepared to ship two survey vessels for the purpose of the seabed measurement (of course unarmed) accordingly with UN Convention on the Law of the Sea - Article 238 but paranoid Korean gov sent 20 armed guard ships to prevent it.

This is why Japan isn’t really that thrilled about unification. If it ever happened it will be a very patriotic Korea that has one idea about Takeshima and comfort women.

If were Japan, I’d hold a banquet and announce that in the spirit of co-operation and understanding while we differ on our view of history of the islands, we will make no further claims to Takeshima. It’s obvious that Takeshima means a lot more to Korea.

Japan can live without it.

South Korea doesn't hate North Korea or China. They hates Japan only! Thats the message they sent for such a war game otherwise it is no meaning. If the Japanese govt. get those isles back by force then it is their earthquake troubles rather than gains! Abe like a blaming war rather than a real one!

reformedbasher:

Not this crap again.

You do realize that the Ainu also live(d) in Sakhalin? Do you insist that Putin returns that territory also?

OK, so do you want territories to stay with the present residents/owners (eg Southern Kurils remain part of Russia) or do you want them to go back to the previous residents/owners (eg Okinawa revert back to an independent Ryukyu)?

Or perhaps you want to cherry-pick things to your advantage?

You know, like having your cake AND eat it.

Yeah, not this crap again. But welcome back after a long extended absence. Missed ya!

Guess they need to give their military something to do now that their joint military exercises has been postponed by Trump indefinitely

Korea invaded this island in the past.

Therefore the Japanese fishermen were imprisoned unfairly in Korea.

South Korea want to steal Tsushima island of Japan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_claim_to_Tsushima_Island