Uneasy partners Japan, S Korea join U.S. air drills

Good to hear that the defense of peace and democracy is enough to transcend past transgressions. Maybe baby steps like this can help Tokyo and Seoul get back to better relations.

despite their political differences.

that's what the problems usually is...political. I've worked with people from many different countries, and also have seen these people work with people from different countries that just fine. Most people not in politics from these countries that do not see eye to eye could care less what thier gov't think of others.

As a reassurance, these three militaries are coordinating to develop comprehensive plans to ensure that reinforcements can flow from other locations in event of crisis. They want to improve communications in event of emergency. That means positioning the interceptors that would provide any greater protection to South Korea and Japan. North Korea has a large number of short-range missiles that could hit targets in South Korea and Japan, and the U.S. would need an enormous number of interceptor rockets to destroy these incoming missiles as well as extensive command and control facilities. North Korea can easily attack South Korea through a variety of other means given their proximity.

Not bad.

that's what the problems usually is...political. I've worked with people from many different countries, and also have seen these people work with people from different countries that just fine. Most people not in politics from these countries that do not see eye to eye could care less what thier gov't think of others.

Exactly. A bit of travel is an eye-opener, and can provide some context to the provocative headlines we read in the mainstream media every single day.

Thats good to hear. The militarily alliance of JPN and ROK is extremely important alliance toward nuclear provocations of DPRK. Even two countries still cannot make a mutual understanding for historical disputes, the militarily alliance should be tied up.

On the face of it, Japan and South Korea have many of reasons to work together on security. Both are prosperous democracies and host to tens of thousands of American forces. They share a common interest in deterring a nuclear-armed and unpredictable neighbor: North Korea.

Bingo.

I'd also add "They both share a common interest in deterring China."

The Korean military is sure having a bad time, being criticized like this. Buy unfortunately so many Koreans feel that their current enemy is not North Korea...

SK has asked to have OPCON turned over to their control a few times. The US has obliged. Yet, SK always backtracks and says the timing isn't right. If the timing isn't right, why ask for control of OPCON In the first place? When it has had several opportunities to take full control for its own security, why hasn't it done so?

Because the US is the true enemy? Get real.

SK is in a constant political tailspin. Saying one thing to the public to gain legitimacy, then turning around and doing the opposite.

What a crock! Typical media bull trying to incite problems. S.Korea and Japan are more friendly than not. Look at all the business investments into each others countries. They also have been coordinating military exercises for decades. This is not the first time.

We should all remember that:-

1) There is no bilateral security agreement between Japan and Korea. 2) Korea still continues to perform Naval drills near Takeshima. 3) This is the first time that Japan and Korea has joined forces in any military drills.

Last year, the two neighbors came very close to signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), a bilateral security agreement designed to facilitate the sharing of military intelligence on mutual security threats: namely North Korea, and, though to a lesser extent, China. However, at the final moment, South Korea withdrew from the accord, primarily as a result of fierce domestic opposition, thus putting a halt to bilateral South Korea-Japan security agreements.

Naval drills will be conducted in waters near the easternmost islets of Dokdo later this year, bolstering Seoul’s sovereignty over the islets which Japan lays claims to, according to the Ministry of National Defense Thursday. Military drills have been conducted near Dokdo since the mid 1990s with the most recent carried out in June. “The Navy conducted a defense drill in late June under the control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” said a defense ministry official. “The drill was carried out under a scenario in which foreign forces landed on Dokdo.” “Another drill near the islets will be conducted later this year,” the official said. The drill reportedly involved about 10 ships, including 3,200-ton destroyers and 1,200-ton submarines, as well as Air Force F-15K jets. It was followed by regular maritime drills in the East Sea the same month. Seoul has carried out similar military and Coast Guard exercises around Dokdo in previous years. Another Dokdo drill is scheduled for later this year, according to the defense ministry. Although most exercises in the past involved the Marine Corps for landing operations, this year’s training excluded such maneuvers as it did during the last drill. Last September, Korea’s Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard conducted joint operations in waters near the islets, but landing operations were canceled amid high tensions with Japan after former President Lee Myung-bak visited Dokdo in August.

The American may think that the drills are going well, but if anyone thinks that the Japanese and Korea militaries are buddies are mistaken.

The Korean media seems to be giving this a very negative spin, as they are saying that Korea is feeling threatened by Abe's wish to change the Constitution, specfically with regards to a change to allow collective self-defence. Anf that they should have thought more about joining such a training only a few days past Korea's Indepence Day on August 15th.

Somewhere over the Delta Junction area Monday, a Japanese C-130 cargo plane received an escort from four South Korean F-15 fighter jets as it flew through a flurry of simulated attacks.

It seems that some Koreans think that this kind of training indicates USA's preference for Japan rather than Korea.

The Korean military is sure having a bad time, being criticized like this. Buy unfortunately so many Koreans feel that their current enemy is not North Korea...

Top Gun!

The South Koreans for better or worse must see Japan as its strongest allies next to the US military presence.

Finally some good news concerning South Korea's role as a U.S. ally.

Now all we need is North Korea and things will be looking good for the future of the world.

What I've heard is that Korean military is more mature and work well with the Japanese counterparts. They both conducted many drills together along with the Americans in the past. The problem is that their immature and childish media and public opibion always critisize them hysterically when they see them trainng with JSDF.