Dokdo Defense Drill Conducted Today

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The military will conduct the first Dokdo Defense Exercise of the year, the 'East Sea Territory Protection Exercise,' on the 15th.

The first half-year Dokdo Defense Exercise, held privately on this day, is known to involve naval and coast guard vessels and aircraft, as well as air force assets. The landing force, the Marine Corps, is reported not to participate.

In the second half of last year's exercise, relatively fewer forces participated due to weather and the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, but this year it is planned to be conducted normally at the usual level, according to government sources. However, considering the COVID-19 situation, the exercise will focus on maritime and non-contact training, and no landing training will be conducted.

The military and coast guard have been conducting regular Dokdo Defense Exercises twice a year, in the first and second halves, since 1986.

Japan has protested every time the South Korean military conducts Dokdo Defense Exercises. Japan has protested every time South Korea conducts Dokdo Defense Exercises. In this regard, the foreign ministries of Korea and Japan had tentatively agreed to hold a brief summit meeting during the G7 summit held in Cornwall, UK, from the 11th to the 13th (local time), but it is known that Japan unilaterally canceled it citing this exercise as the reason.

A military official stated, "The Navy has conducted the regular East Sea Territory Protection Exercise every year," and added, "This East Sea exercise is also conducted to respond to threats against our territory, people, and property."