Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is simply restating what has been Japan’s government position for many decades, but this is still a stupid reason to cause tension with an important neighbor. It is even more unwise to bring this issue to the forefront at a time when China is flexing its economic and military might against Japan:
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated on the 9th that “Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is Japanese territory,” prompting the presidential office to directly refute the claim, stating, “Dokdo is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law.”
At the Japanese House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting held that day, Prime Minister Takaichi responded to remarks by Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Takami Yasuhiro, who stated, “Takeshima in Shimane Prefecture remains under illegal occupation by South Korea,” by asserting, “Takeshima is clearly our country’s (Japan’s) inherent territory, both historically and under international law,” and added, “We aim to actively convey messages to ensure accurate understanding of our position both domestically and internationally.”
In response, the presidential office immediately refuted the claim the same day. A source from the presidential office, when asked about the position regarding Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks, stated, “There is no territorial dispute over Dokdo,” and emphasized, “Dokdo is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law.”
This is reportedly the first time since President Lee Jae-myung’s inauguration that the presidential office has taken a strong stance on issues where the two countries are at odds.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Takaichi has consistently asserted that Dokdo belongs to Japan. During the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on the 27th of last month, she stated, “Wouldn’t it be better for a minister to confidently attend Takeshima Day?” and added, “There is no need to be cautious.” The Japanese government has sent a parliamentary vice-minister, a junior ministerial-level official, to Takeshima Day for 13 consecutive years from 2013 to this year.
You can read more at the link, but Dokdo is one of the few issues where the Korean right and left will rally around against Japan. Dokdo will never be given up by Korea. Maybe the Dokdo issue needs Trump the peacemaker to settle?
Chu-SAM would be a great capability for the Philippines to acquire to develop a layer of missile defense around their country:
Japan’s Defense Ministry has denied a report that it is considering selling surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines, even as it acknowledged that Tokyo may soon loosen long-standing restrictions on arms exports.
Kyodo News, citing anonymous sources, reported Monday that Japan and the Philippines had held informal talks on exporting Japan’s Type 03 medium-range missile.
The system — also known as Chu-SAM — is capable of intercepting aircraft and cruise missiles. It is deployed to Ishigaki Island at the far end of the Nansei chain, where it is positioned to counter China’s growing military activity near Taiwan and in the East China Sea.
You can read more at the link.
This is something that should make the Trump administration happy:
South Korea will raise defense spending by 7.5% next year to $44.8 billion, with $13.6 billion dedicated to strengthening its forces, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. The increase is part of a nearly $500 billion national budget passed Tuesday after rival parties reached a deal, the Finance Ministry said in a separate statement.
The move follows U.S. pressure on allies, including South Korea, to spend more on defense amid heightened threats from China, Russia and North Korea. The Ministry of National Defense said the expanded budget will help Seoul respond to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs, adjust to a shifting global security landscape and invest in science and technology. Though lower than the 8.2% hike requested by military officials, the increase is South Korea’s largest since an 8.2% jump in 2019.
You can read more at the link.
The purge of President Lee’s political enemies using the martial law scandal continues:
A special counsel team indicted former People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho on Sunday on charges related to ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid last December.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s investigation team said Choo was indicted without physical detention on allegations that he blocked party lawmakers from participating in a parliamentary vote to lift the martial law decree issued on Dec. 3 last year. (……..)
Choo, once considered a key ally of Yoon, is accused of deliberately and repeatedly changing the venue of an emergency party meeting on the night of Dec. 3 at the request of Yoon. The PPP was the ruling party when Yoon was the president.
Due to the changes, only 18 of the PPP’s 108 lawmakers took part in the parliamentary vote to lift Yoon’s decree, which passed unanimously early the next morning among the 190 lawmakers present.
Choo immediately denounced prosecutors for what he called an “unwarranted” indictment based on fabricated charges, claiming he had not received any request from Yoon regarding the martial law.
“The special counsel proceeded ahead with its political indictment without further evidence, even after its request for an arrest warrant was dismissed for failing to substantiate the charges,” Choo said in a press release, accusing the investigation team of political persecution.
You can read more at the link.
Notice that the ROK government did not completely rule out the possibility that indirect talks may be going on with North Korea which is using the joint drills as leverage:
South Korea is not considering adjusting its joint military drills with the United States as part of efforts to resume stalled talks with North Korea, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Sunday.
Wi made the remarks when asked whether Seoul might review the regular exercises with Washington to help revive inter-Korean dialogue, as Pyongyang has dismissed Seoul’s overtures since President Lee Jae Myung’s first six months in office.
“If we are to resume dialogue, we need to consider what cards we can use. While there are many possible options, we are not directly considering using the Korea-U.S. joint exercises as a card,” Wi said during a press briefing.
You can read more at the link.
