Democratic Party on Japan Self-Defense Force Ship's Port Call: "Yoon Government Tramples National Pride"

"Excusing Japanese Colonial Rule and Even Overlooking Militarism?"

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized on the 29th that "the Yoon Seok-yeol administration trampled on the pride of the people today" in relation to the arrival of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship Hamagiri, which entered the Busan Naval Operations Base flying the Self-Defense Force flag, a type of Rising Sun flag.

Spokesperson Kang Seon-woo stated in a National Assembly briefing that day, "The government ultimately allowed the entry of a Japanese Self-Defense Force ship bearing the Rising Sun flag."

On the 29th, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Hamagiri entered the Busan Naval Operations Base flying the Self-Defense Force flag, a type of Rising Sun flag, to participate in a multinational exercise. The multinational exercise (Eastern Endeavor 23), hosted by the Korean government, will be held on the 31st in international waters southeast of Jeju, with participation from Korea, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Kang said, "The Rising Sun flag is a symbol of Japanese militarism," and pointed out, "Is the government trying to overlook Japanese militarism after already giving a pardon for Japan's colonial rule?"

He added, "Considering the pardon regarding the forced mobilization issue and the ambiguous stance on the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue, we cannot help but doubt the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national and historical perspectives."

He continued, "Is there any guarantee that next time Japanese Self-Defense Force fighter jets will not fly over South Korean airspace, or that Japanese soldiers will not conduct joint military training here?" and emphasized, "Is this the decision for the future that President Yoon talked about?"

He said, "Is it right to allow the entry of a Self-Defense Force ship flying the Rising Sun flag in this situation?" and added, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration must answer."