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S Korean jets fire 360 rounds of warning shots at Russian warplane

39 Comments
By HYUNG-JIN KIM

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So that settles the Liancourt Rocks dispute.

When Russian bombers enter the Liancourt Rocks airspace, the ROKAF opens fire on Russian bomber, then call Russian military attache to protest about its territorial invasion.

JASDF was nowhere to be found nor did Japan protest against Russia for invading its airspace.

-11 ( +10 / -21 )

Are the neo-Stalinists in Moscow trying to re-start the war the Soviet Union helped China and North Korea with while competing with the US and 'the West' for empire dominance back in 1950? Is Moscow saying they want South Korea to be a part of Russia's Eurasian Economic Union?

5 ( +11 / -6 )

It's a perfect way for SK to promote their name of the islands to the world. Many newssites just took over the Korean report not aware of the valid international name.

So that settles the Liancourt Rocks dispute.

In contrary to expecting Samit Basu's comment, this does of course not settle the Liancourt Rocks dispute. Had Japan fighters interveened, what would SK have done? You want another war? The islands are occupied against international law and the occupying country would of course react resulting in a dispute unimaginable. Japan will continue to follow its intention bringing this case to the ICJ, it's up to SK to settle the dispute by agreeing to that. Yet they fear to do so. Gee, i wonder why.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

@PTownsend

The Russians were obviously testing Korean response to territorial incursion like they did on Japan from time to time. The bomber in question was a Tu-95 famous for circumnavigating around Japan from time to time.

When Russian bomber enters Japanese airspace, all they get from the JMSDF chase fighter is a bunch of radio hails pleading them to leave.

When same Russian bomber enters Korean airspace, they are met with the hail of machine gun bullets.

-13 ( +7 / -20 )

I'm regularly reminded of the early 1940 sitzkrieg, the quiet before the Nazi storm. The world today is teetering on the brink of armed conflict in too many places to count

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@saitamaliving

Had Japan fighters interveened, what would SK have done? 

Exactly the same thing that the Russians got, a hail of machine gun bullets.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Time to boycott Russian Vodka in addition to the Japanese beer.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

It must have been Tom Cruise at the controls of that SK F-16.

I can hear the theme song of Top Gun playing...

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

saitamaliving: "In contrary to expecting Samit Basu's comment, this does of course not settle the Liancourt Rocks dispute."

Because there's nothing to settle -- they are South Korea's, plain and simple.

As for Russia invading their airspace, at least SK didn't shoot them down, unlike Russia shooting down passenger airplanes from Korea that were in international airspace.

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

I'm sure the Russian pilots just lost his way. Simple misunderstanding.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

This is Putin doing three things;

Telling Kim Russia is still in their corner, and wants a seat at the table whenever the nuclear deal is discussed...

Telling China its just not them, Russia is a player with nK too...

Trying to stir up more trouble between sK and Japan...

14 ( +15 / -1 )

I think Russia needs to get an update on their satellite navigation/tracking systems in their plains, for some reason they seem to be mile off course on a regular basis. they could also get one of these portable satnav car accessories for most well known car outlet discount places, they seem to be more accurate than what they currently have.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Now, don't ask Japan for help. These are your new partners.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

JASDF was nowhere to be found nor did Japan protest against Russia for invading its airspace.

According to the BBC, Japan has protested to both Russia and South Korea.

'The Japanese government has lodged a complaint against South Korea and Russia. 

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: "In light of Japan's stance regarding sovereignty over Takeshima, the South Korean military aircraft's having carried out warning shots is totally unacceptable and extremely regrettable."'

15 ( +15 / -0 )

JASDF was nowhere to be found nor did Japan protest against Russia for invading its airspace.

@Samut - Oops.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

A GOOD GESTURE.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Today at the White House....

Mr President, we have a crisis brewing between Russia and South Korea - we need a special Ambassador....

OK, give Scott Baio a call and see if he can go....

Uh, Mr President, we need someone experienced...

OK, ask Ivanka, she has experience selling handbags at Macy's...

Umm, someone with more experience Mr President?

OK, OK, get Ted Nugent on the phone...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

South Korean air force jets fired 360 rounds of warning shots 

Or to put it another way, South Korean air force jets fired warning shots for a total of 3 seconds.......

8 ( +10 / -2 )

As albaleo linked - Japan has complained.

On TV news tonight the basic sum of the complaint was firstly to Russian for flying in Japan's territorial zone and then to Korea for firing in Japan's zone.

LOL.

No matter what your heart believes and what you believe history says, for now and the beyond foreseable future, Takeshima is Korean.

They are administered, occupied, built on, lived on, protected by Koreans.

That is fact. That is reality. No Fake News about it.

So if we assume that to be the current status - which it is - then any zone by definition would be Korean.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

The violators of foreign airspace are the Russians. From SK's perspective they violated SK airspace. From Japan's perspective both Russia and SK violated their airspace. So Japan filing a complaint as they did is legally proper.

South Korea only "owns" the Liancourt Rocks from their perspective. Japan owns them from theirs. Japan has suggested settling the dispute three times at the ICJ and South Korea has refused. Obviously they have no confidence in winning a favorable ruling from an objective third party tribunal.

That South Korea currently occupies the Liancourt Rocks does not legally convey ownership, nor does it suggest that they have a more valid claim. They are simply illegally occupying the islands. This is what will never change until, and if, South Korea chooses to settle the dispute like a dignified civilized country that abides by the rule of law.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Very STUPID thing for the Southern Koreans to do! What if they would of hit and shot down one of the planes? It can start a war over a group of rocks. Rocks for gods sake! I see Trumps chief warmongers hand in this action.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Funny how the Japanese government belatedly comes up with a story saying that they scrambled jets to intercept the Russian and Chinese planes. Where were they?

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

*Japan has suggested settling the dispute three times at the ICJ and South Korea has refused. Obviously they have no confidence in winning a favorable ruling from an objective third party tribunal.*

There is no dispute. It is only the Japanese government and people who have tried to escalate it into a dispute.

Dokdo was always Korean until the Japanese Empire illegally seized it during the occupation of Korea. It was rightfully returned to Korea after Japan's surrender in WWII under SCAPIN (1946):

SCAPIN-677 Article 3: For the purpose of this directive, Japan is defined to include … excluding (a) Utsuryo (Ullung) Island, Liancourt Rocks [(Dokdo)]…and Quelpart (Saishu or Cheju) Island …

The Japanese government sure are good at brainwashing its citizens.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

360 rounds... that's just a really very short burst of fire... the purpose of which would be for the tracers to draw the attention of the Russian pilot.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@YuriOtani

What if they would of hit and shot down one of the planes?

The ROKAF pilots are extremely well trained so no need to worry.

@albaleo

According to the BBC, Japan has protested to both Russia and South Korea.

And Russia didn't even bother to reply to the Japanese "protest".

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

There are several other islands called as the same name Takeshima (竹島 bamboo island) in Japan, and please find any island where there is no bamboo.

 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%B9%E5%B3%B6

No 1. 竹島 (愛知県) - 愛知県蒲郡市の島

No 2. 竹島 (鹿児島県) - 鹿児島県三島村の島

No 3. 竹島 (熊本県) - 熊本県天草市の島

No 4. 竹島 (宮城県) - 宮城県南三陸町の島

No 5. 竹島 (山口県) - 山口県山口市の島

No 6. 多景島 - 別名「竹島」。琵琶湖の島の1つ

The territorial claim of the Japanese government on Takeshima is even comical. Japanese people know what 'Takeshima' literally means: bamboo island 竹島, but there is no bamboo in Takeshima. Has any Japanese here thought about this discrepancy?

There is another small island called 'bamboo island' (Jukdo 竹島 in Korean) at 2 km (1 mile) east of Ulleungdo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jukdo_(island)

You may see those abundant bamboos there: https://wayfaringflaneur.com/2018/09/02/jukdo%EC%A3%BD%EB%8F%84-bamboo-island/

Long times ago, Japanese fishermen certainly recognized the existence of Jukdo 竹島 near Ulleungdo island. At that time, Takeshima did not designate the Liancourt Rocks, but Jukdo to Japanese fishermen. Both Jukdo and Ulleungo are now Korean territories that Japan and the other countries acknowledge. Now the Japanese government claims the territorial right with a wrong name or a wrong location. Wake up. There is no bamboo in the Japanese 'Takeshima'.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Very STUPID thing for the Southern Koreans to do! What if they would of hit and shot down one of the planes? It can start a war over a group of rocks. Rocks for gods sake!

I'm going to come hang out in your back yard. I might have a barbecue and bring some friends along too. You don't mind do you? I mean, you wouldn't want to start a fight to get me to leave, would you? After all, it's only your back yard, so what's the big deal.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@SJ

The territorial claim of the Japanese government on Takeshima is even comical. 

Well then, what's even more comical is that the Korean government officially recognized Japan's ownership prior to the recent politicization of them.

No one but the Korean alt-right wing nuts believes Korea has a lawful claim on them, which is why they will never take the matter to the International Court of Justice. The rest of the world just thinks they are being jerks, and it's making them lose face internationally.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The Russian reconnaissance aircraft left the area three minutes later, but it returned and violated the South Korean airspace again for four additional minutes later Tuesday, 

Well, this doesn't sound unintential or accidental as some JT posters suggest.

Regardless whether the penetration was intentional or unintentional, the warning shots sure got their attention! Hopefully they won't INTENTIONALLY violate the airspace again.

What the Russian’s game? Agitation, stir it up. See what the Americans do?

To intimidate and remind South Korea that they back North Korea. The repeated provocation is to test South Korea to see how willing they are to protect their territory.

Inaction is an indication of unwillingness to protect their sovereignty and willingness to accept unification under DPRK regime.

Russia (and China) wants....and will take appropriate steps....to see a unified Korea ruled under their child-prodigy, DPRK.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

pacificwestToday 03:19 am JST

@SJ

The territorial claim of the Japanese government on Takeshima is even comical. 

Well then, what's even more comical is that the Korean government officially recognized Japan's ownership prior to the recent politicization of them.

No one but the Korean alt-right wing nuts believes Korea has a lawful claim on them, which is why they will never take the matter to the International Court of Justice. The rest of the world just thinks they are being jerks, and it's making them lose face internationally.

Any links to your claim re ownership recognition prior to recently?

And you'd be amazed that not only Korean alt-right wingnuts believe Korea's claim has merit, but in fact millions of moderate calm Koreans and for that fact millions of moderate calm non-Koreans. Read a little and you'll find this out.

It's interesting that all the alt-right whingers(sic) here come out in their droves anonymously on line and blatantly refute what constitutes reality re the Islands - either by repeating ad nauseum the same old same or just powering on the downvotes - heh, heh.

Fact is the world in the 21stC is littered with cases of disputed sovereign territory and in all cases the country in control of the said territory by occupation, development, settlement, etc rules.

Israel's not giving it's land back to the Palestinians, so don't expect a gift from korea anytime soon. It just isn't going to happen.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@browny1

A "moderate" Korean in relationship to anything Japan related?

That's an oxymoron is ever there was one. The only thing near a "moderate Korean" are the ones that get beaten up in universities by the right wing thugs for speaking out, or have to leave and go to America.

I presume you know who I refer to if you are informed about Korean-Japan related affairs.

Are there original sources support the fact that the Korean government recognized Japan's ownership of the territority? Sure. Do your own homework on the subject.

The primary problem Korea has is similar to the problem China has in similar issues and that's not understand that some ancient, semi-mythic twaddle has any standing whatsoever in international law. Like China, it suffers from a terrible narcissism that has it believing that it is or was the center of the world, to which the evolved principles of international law - that Japan actually has a very good record of following - are an existential threat.

In simple terms, Korea is butthurt at not turning up to table in time. As with the Senkakus, Japan followed international law. Korea by not following international law and illegally taking the islets would like lose if the matter was to be settled legally.

Neither it, internationally, nor its political elite, internally, could ever afford to lose the case, so they refuse and avoid it while Japan waits patiently - still following the law, thereby making Korea look, well, like it is on the international stage.

@Halwick

To think for one moment that the DPRK could dominate South Korea is ridiculous.

Perhaps the US should just withdraw it military and let the grown up Koreans get on with it themselves, without meddling in another nation's affairs under the pretext of some "cold war" threat that did not even exist the first time around?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

pacific west - thanks for your reply.

I'm not allowing myself to get into an off topic discussion re the moderacy of Koreans - all 50million of them - nor the "proof" of ownership of the islands, as there are volumes expressing facts for each side of the coin.

Simply I reiterate the fact that the current reality concerning Takeshima is, it is 100% occupied, administered and controlled by SK and that fact is not going to change.

Such a presence over the islands would indicate that the territory including airspace belongs to the controller, so the Japanese govt as indicated in the article, in trying to tell the Korean govt to cease and desist is quite laughable.

I don't side with any of the parties in this "fun & games for pride" situation, and as an observer I'm just calling it as it appears in reality.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Legally, according to international law, you would be incorrect and, as ever, Japan is painstakingly following the correct form.

The law states,

An occupying power cannot, under any circumstances, acquire the right to conquer, annex or gain sovereign title over any part of the territory under its occupation. This is one of the most well-established principles of modern international law and enjoys universal endorsement.

> Occupation is by definition a temporary and exceptional situation where the occupying power assumes the role of a de facto administrator of the territory until conditions allow for the return of the territory to the sovereign.

And, mostly pertinently, to Korea's conduct,

The Occupying Power must act in good faith. The principle requires states to carry out their duties and obligations in an honest, loyal, reasonable, diligent and fair manner, and with the aim of fulfilling the purposes of the legal responsibility, including an agreement or treaty. 

Korea continues to act in bad faith weakening its legal position.

Personally, as Japan had the last legitimate claim, I'd support it retaking the islets by force. If it was the US or many other Western Powers (think the Falklands Islands), it would most certainly do so, and tell Korea to GFY at the point of a big gun. It's testimony to the patience, tolerance and pacificism of the Japanese soul that it does not, and follows the legal route instead. Personally, I think it is high time Japan adopted a more "GFY" diplomatic stance with Korea and the Korean right wing but, unfortunately, it's just not in its nature; and it's politically more convenient to have the US lean on it instead.

Sometimes I wonder if the conflict between Japan and Korea is being allowed to fester as it is in the US interest. It is certainly being encouraged in the US and online by right wing American-Koreans.

A united Japan-Korea, or, even moreso, a united Japan-Korea-China could quite easily push back against US domination of the Asia-Pacific region.

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is generally present as a front for the Japanese control of occupied countries but it really was the overthrowing and ejection of abusive Western imperial power in Asia.

Asia needs a 2.0 version that rejects the currently dominant Western imperial power.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

pacificwest - thank you.

Re according to international law and Japan is correct and Korea isn't , may well (or not) be the case, but it doesn't reflect the reality of the situation that currently exists. That's all I'm saying.

And there is No Way a Korean govt - this one or future - will be willing to give up what it views as it's sovereign territory. It has it's own documentation which says it proves it's ownership so sees no necessity to go to any court. In the same way that Japan would never want to go to court over sovereignty of Senkakus for arguments sake. It sees no necessity.

It's moved beyond right or wrong in differing eyes to the situation whereby a nation for all intents and purposes "owns" the islands.

Proposing military action over what essentially is stubborn pride of control of a few rocks is what has lead millions to die throught out history. And read those deaths primarily as young men and women in uniform and innocent citizens caught up in the mindless puerile games of deranged elites cozy in their bunkerdoms.

No - life is far, far too precious to abandon to the whims of the insane.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I thought it was an interesting comparison with the Falkland Islands, a British colonial possession 7,925 miles away from London and 945 miles from Argentina which it went to war over, and that it reflected on the difference between the Japanese and British people.

The dispute is not such about the rocks, but about the recognition of national sovereignty AND upholding the standards of international law.

The problem we have with China, and the Koreas to a lesser degree, is that they don't much recognise or accept it.

In the meanwhile, as the conflict benefits the right wing establishment in both nations, affording them grounds to do their posturing and inflame hate, it will carry on forever.

I just think it would be worth doing for the wind up factor, which is why it's a good job I am not PM!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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