"Rising Sun Flag Japanese Warship Militarism vs Also Flown During Roh Government"

Ministry of National Defense "Just a Common International Practice"
"Historical Context... Japanese Right-Wing, Return to Militarism"

The Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship entered Busan Port on the 29th of last month flying the Rising Sun Flag, which is used as the Self-Defense Force ship flag, revealing once again the differing perspectives of the ruling and opposition parties toward Japan.

The Democratic Party of Korea reacted strongly, saying, "Is it not enough to have given Japan a pardon for its colonial rule, but now you want to turn a blind eye to Japan's militarism as well?" The People Power Party countered by stating that the Rising Sun Flag was also flown on Japanese vessels during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations. The Ministry of National Defense stated that flying the national flag and naval ensign is an international custom, so there is no need for debate on this issue.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship Hamagiri entered the Busan Naval Operations Base around 9:30 a.m. on the 29th of last month, flying the Hinomaru and the Self-Defense Force flag. This was to participate in the multinational maritime blockade exercise "Eastern Endeavor 23," held on the 31st in international waters southeast of Jeju.

The Self-Defense Force flag is classified as a type of the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese militarism. Its appearance is similar to the Rising Sun Flag, with the red circle of the Hinomaru shifted to the left. Japan mandated through the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act Enforcement Decree that Self-Defense Force vessels must fly both the Self-Defense Force flag and the Hinomaru.

This controversy also arose during the Jeju International Fleet Review in November 2018. At that time, the Moon Jae-in administration requested that only the Hinomaru be flown due to the controversy over the Self-Defense Force flag, but the Japanese government refused and did not participate in the event.

The Ministry of National Defense explains that it is an international custom for navies of various countries to fly the host country's national flag and naval ensign when docking at foreign ports. On the 1st, Shin Beom-cheol, Deputy Minister of National Defense, said in an interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "Although this seems to be a cause of various domestic political conflicts, in fact, vessels flying this flag have entered during the Moon Jae-in, Park Geun-hye, Roh Moo-hyun, and Kim Dae-jung administrations, so it is not desirable to completely deny it now."

On the 29th, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Hamagiri entered Busan Naval Operations Base flying the Self-Defense Force flag, a type of Rising Sun flag, to participate in a multinational exercise.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Democratic Party criticized, saying, "It trampled on the pride of the people." Along with the Rising Sun Flag controversy, they argue that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's diplomatic approach toward Japan is inappropriate, citing issues such as forced mobilization and the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo said in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 30th of last month, "The Rising Sun Flag should never be allowed to be used by Japan. If the Nazi flag were flown by the German navy, which country in the world would tolerate it?" He emphasized, "Since we are Japan's biggest victim, it is important to continue raising the issue and create international public opinion so that the Self-Defense Force flag does not use that symbol."

On the other hand, the People Power Party responded, "The originators were the Kim Dae-jung (DJ) and Roh Moo-hyun administrations." They pointed out that the Kim Dae-jung administration in 1998 permitted the entry of Japanese vessels flying the Self-Defense Force flag during the International Fleet Review as a matter of custom, and that the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2007 also allowed the Japanese Self-Defense Force training fleet Kashima, flying the Self-Defense Force flag, to enter Incheon Port as a gesture of goodwill.

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "Even if the North Korean flag is flown, our society somewhat tolerates it. Similarly, it is time to reconcile with the Rising Sun Flag," adding, "We even conduct shuttle diplomacy, and in this situation, while reconciling with the North Korean flag, to forbid the Rising Sun Flag from being flown or entering is a bit excessive."

Military security expert Kim Jong-dae, a visiting professor at Yonsei University's Institute for Unification Studies, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and analyzed, "Currently, Japan's conservative right-wing is reverting to militarism and using that emblem, linking it to ostentatious behavior, so it is uncomfortable for us to accept it. That flag design is increasingly making us uncomfortable."

However, the inspection of the training vessels by Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, which had been controversial along with the flying of the Self-Defense Force flag, was omitted due to bad weather. Previously, there had been criticism that it was inappropriate for the crew of the Hamagiri, flying the Self-Defense Force flag reminiscent of the Rising Sun Flag, to salute the minister.