Japan Coast Guard to Use Weapons on North Korean Ships in East Sea's Daehwato in Emergencies

Press Conference on Confirmation of North Korean Vessel Equipped with Portable Surface-to-Air Missiles in June
"Priority Response to Ensure Safety of Japanese Fishing Boats... Deployment of Patrol Ships"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The Japan Coast Guard has warned that it may respond strongly to North Korean vessels that could pose a threat to Japanese fishing boats in the East Sea Daehwatae (大和堆, Japanese name: Yamatotai) fishing grounds.

According to NHK's report on the 20th, Takahiro Okushima, Commissioner of the Japan Coast Guard, held a press conference regarding the confirmation of a North Korean government vessel equipped with a portable surface-to-air missile in Daehwatae last June.

Commissioner Okushima stated that in late June, a vessel carrying what appeared to be weapons was identified in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) west of Daehwatae, adding, "When Japanese fishing boats operate around Daehwatae, patrol vessels are deployed nearby, and the movements of North Korean government vessels are also monitored."

He emphasized that in situations where Japanese vessels may be threatened, the Coast Guard will prioritize safety within the scope permitted by international law and respond accordingly.

This statement by the Commissioner of the Japan Coast Guard, equivalent to the Korean Coast Guard, suggests that weapons could be used against North Korean vessels in emergencies.

Located in the central East Sea, Daehwatae is known as a golden fishing ground due to its abundant fishery resources.

NHK reported that the surface-to-air missile confirmed on the North Korean government vessel in the Daehwatae fishing grounds last June is of the same type as the Soviet-developed SA-16, with an estimated range of 4.5 km.