Japanese and South Korean defense ministers have agreed to implement measures to prevent radar lock-on incidents, as bilateral relations have been improving. The two sides remain at odds over an alleged incident in 2018 that Seoul denies. Despite this, a joint statement issued after their meeting in Singapore confirmed that the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the South Korean military will resume high-level exchanges.
Defense exchanges had been suspended due to a dispute over Tokyo’s claim that a South Korean destroyer locked radar on a Japanese patrol plane in 2018. The latest statement did not confirm the incident, but emphasized the importance of preventing similar incidents in the future.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of real-time information sharing about North Korea’s ballistic missile launches. Both countries are working towards normalizing defense exchanges and addressing nuclear threats from North Korea.
The discussions come as Japan, South Korea, and the United States are increasing trilateral defense cooperation to tackle regional security challenges. The meeting took place during the Asia Security Summit in Singapore.
Overall, the talks signify a positive step towards improving defense relations and addressing shared security concerns in the region.
© KYODO