The flag of the Rising Sun (left) and the self-defense flag (right). JTBC screen capture
On the 6th, the ROK Navy attended an international inspection ceremony hosted by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and greeted a Japanese ship with a self-defense warship flag modeled on the flag of the Rising Sun. It is the first time in seven years since the Park Geun-hye administration in 2015 that the South Korean Navy has participated in an inspection of the Japanese fleet. It has been pointed out that it is inappropriate for the South Korean army to salute the flag of the Rising Sun, a symbol of Japanese militarism.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) held its second international warship ceremony in its history in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its founding. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida inspected the honor guard aboard the large frigate Izumo. The inspection ceremony is an event where the army commander-in-chief inspects the fleet and his soldiers.
The patrol ceremony was attended by 18 ships from 12 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Australia, Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. The South Korean military sent the last logistic support ship, the Soyang, and, like other navies, hailed the Izumo, which had a self-defense flag installed. Russia, which invaded Ukraine, was not invited and China did not participate even after being invited by the Japanese government.
Previously, the South Korean navy took part in the inspection of the fleet in view of the severe security situation in which North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are increasing. Nihon Keizai Shimbun said: “The participation of Korean ships this time will also lead to improved relations between the defense authorities of Korea and Japan.”
It is the first time in seven years since the Park Geun-hye administration in 2015 that the South Korean military has participated in a Japanese naval warfare ceremony. Even at the time, the South Korean military was controversial for greeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aboard a Japanese warship with a self-defense warship.
The national defense ministry explained that the self-defense forces and the flag of the rising sun are different when they decide to participate for the first time in seven years. Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop said at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly Defense Committee on 31st last month: “The shape is similar, but the position of the red circle in the center is different.”
Opposition parties stressed that the National Defense Ministry’s explanation runs counter to the Japanese government’s official position that the self-defense aircraft was the origin of the Rising Sun flag. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is introducing an image of the flag hoisted on the ship of the Self Defense Forces, along with a photo of the flag, “The Maritime Self Defense Force of the Self Defense Force and the Land Self Defense Force – The flag of the forces Defense (chronological flag) uses the shape of the rising sun in accordance with the Self-Defense Forces Law Enforcement Decree enacted in 1954.
In a briefing the same day, Minjoo Party spokesman Lee Su-jin said: “The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recognizes the Self-Defense Forces warship as a flag of the rising sun, but only the Yun Seok government. yeol can’t call it a rising sun flag. ” he criticized it.
A South Korean logistics support vessel, the Soyang, sails during an international inspection ceremony held in Kanagawa Prefecture’s Sagami Bay on 6, hosted by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Good news
