Tokyo: A South Korean naval vessel was set to take part in Japan’s international fleet review on Sunday for the first time in seven years amid escalating nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
South Korea is one of 14 countries, including host Japan, the US, Canada and Australia, to take part in the review set to take place in Sagami Bay off Kanagawa Prefecture, about 40 kms southeast of Tokyo, Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korea’s 10,000-ton logistics support ship Soyang entered the port of Yokosuka on Tuesday.
It marks the first time since 2015 for the South’s Navy to participate in a fleet review in Japan.
The Navy took part in Japan’s fleet review in 2002 and 2015, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) joined the South’s fleet review in 1998 and 2008.
Since 2018, when tensions between Seoul and Tokyo rose over historical and other disputes, the two sides have not participated in each other’s fleet reviews.
Following the review, the Navy ship Soyang plans to join a multinational search and rescue exercise. The exercise will bring together service members from the United States, Britain, France, Australia, Canada and other countries.
