Lee Jong-seop: "Will Re-negotiate Apology Issue Regarding Threat to U.S. Early Warning Aircraft"

Attendance at National Assembly Defense Committee: "Never Investigated Japanese Patrol Aircraft"

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop stated regarding the demand for an apology over the 2018 Japanese patrol aircraft's threatening flight incident, "We will discuss it again in the future."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 23rd, Minister Lee attended the National Defense Committee and was questioned by Yoon Hu-deok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, about the Ministry of National Defense's position. He said, "

The key issue is whether (our Navy) used radar during the incident or not," and explained, "Our position is that radar was not used, while Japan claims (our Navy) did use radar."

He added, "The Ministry of National Defense's stance is that since the two countries have differing positions on this matter, the facts need to be clarified, and therefore, several working-level consultations have been held," and explained, "We will proceed with this matter according to the progress in Korea-Japan relations."

In response to Minister Lee's repeated answer that "the two countries have different positions," Representative Yoon pointed out, "I am asking you to state what the Republic of Korea's position is here." Regarding Yoon's urging that an apology should be obtained from Japan for the threatening flight of the patrol aircraft, Minister Lee replied, "That part will be discussed again in the future."

The Japanese patrol aircraft threatening flight incident occurred on December 20, 2018, near the ROK Navy Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer, which was searching for a North Korean fishing boat in distress in the East Sea. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft conducted a threatening flight near the ship. Japan claimed that the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer had used fire-control radar against the Maritime Self-Defense Force P1 patrol aircraft, causing conflict between the two countries.

At that time, Japan released a video filmed inside the patrol aircraft as evidence, while Korea denied any radar usage and countered that the patrol aircraft flew low and threateningly near the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer. These opposing positions have remained at an impasse to this day.