Japan protests South Korea's military exercises around disputed islands
The Japanese government has protested South Korea's military exercises in the Dokdo Islands off the east coast of South Korea, which Japan also claims and calls Takeshima.
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The disputed island group, which Korea calls Dokdo and Japan calls Takeshima. (Source: AFP/TTXVN) |
Kyodo quoted the Japanese government as saying: “Based on our stance regarding sovereignty over the Takeshima Islands, this is a completely unacceptable and disappointing action.” In addition, through diplomatic channels, Tokyo has asked Seoul to end the exercise.
Previously, Yonhap news agency reported that six warships, including the 3,200-ton destroyer Yangmanchun, and seven aircraft, including P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, UH-60 BlackHawk helicopters and F-15K fighter jets, were mobilized to participate in the exercise.
During the exercise, which begins on June 18, a rapid response unit of the South Korean Marine Corps will practice landing on the Dokdo Islands to counter foreign forces invading the islands.
The Dokdo/Takeshima Islands have been a disputed area between South Korea and Japan since the early 1950s. The sovereignty dispute over this group of islands has long caused tension between the two countries./.