Continued Passive Dokdo Defense Drills Ahead [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

No Participation of Air Force and Marine Corps Since 2020
Small-Scale, Private Training Expected Considering Korea-Japan Relations

There is an assessment that future Dokdo defense drills will be conducted as passive exercises. It is expected that the Air Force and Marine Corps will not participate in the drills, and that the exercises will be held privately due to concerns over Japan's opposition.

Yonhap News

According to the military, the Dokdo defense drill was conducted privately on the 16th. This is the sixth Dokdo defense drill under the current government, and the previous five drills were also held privately. The official name of this drill is the ‘East Sea Territory Protection Drill.’ The scale of the second half of this year’s drill was similar to the Dokdo defense drill conducted on August 21. The Dokdo defense drill was first implemented in 1986 and has been regularly conducted twice a year since 2003.

However, the Air Force and Marine Corps have not participated since 2020. The Air Force has been absent due to a scheduling conflict with the command post exercise (CPX) linked to the Korea-U.S. joint exercise ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS).’ The Marine Corps has not participated since the scenario of the Dokdo defense drill changed from retaking the island to preemptively blocking enemy landing attempts.

Postponement of First Half Drills Due to Korea-U.S.-Japan Meetings and Liberation Day Considerations

The timing has also become irregular. The first half of this year’s drill was originally scheduled for June but was postponed due to the Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral joint exercise ‘Freedom Edge.’ In July, the drill was not held due to the full suspension of the September 19 military agreement and the Korea-U.S.-Japan defense ministers’ meeting following the resumption of frontline military exercises. In August, the drill was postponed again to mid-month or later to avoid coinciding with Liberation Day.

Military’s Interpretation of Dokdo as a Territorial Dispute Area Sparks Controversy

The military’s interpretation of Dokdo as a territorial dispute area has also caused controversy. At the end of last year, the Ministry of National Defense distributed textbooks to frontline units that described Dokdo as a territorial dispute area. Upon discovery, all textbooks were recalled and an audit was initiated. The audit revealed that the basic mental strength education textbook for military personnel was written mainly by active-duty soldiers, lacked proper final review, and had insufficient external feedback during publication. Notably, the dismissal of concerns regarding the inappropriate description of Dokdo was a critical issue.

Even after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment and the inauguration of the next government, the Dokdo defense drills are expected to continue on a small scale. Every time the Dokdo defense drill is publicized, Japan protests to our government. Given Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s strong will to improve Korea-Japan relations, it is assessed that friction is unavoidable.

Small-Scale Drills Expected Due to Japanese Prime Minister’s Willingness to Improve Korea-Japan Relations

Since Korea and Japan have many ‘long-standing conflict issues,’ they have responded with a ‘two-track’ approach, distinguishing between ‘issues for improving Korea-Japan relations’ and ‘friction issues.’ Our government has strongly protested by summoning officials from the Japanese Embassy in Korea regarding events commemorating ‘Takeshima Day’ held annually on February 22 by Shimane Prefecture since 2006, and Japan’s persistent claims over Dokdo in its ‘Defense White Paper’ for 19 consecutive years since 2005.

At the same time, the government has consistently expressed its commitment to a ‘future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.’ Notably, in March, our government announced the ‘third-party compensation plan’ as a solution for forced labor victim compensation, which accelerated the normalization of Korea-Japan relations. As a result, the two countries’ leaders have held seven face-to-face meetings this year alone.

A government official said, “Prime Minister Ishiba is a representative pro-Korea figure who will continue the diplomatic and economic policies of former Prime Minister Kishida, who pursued Korea-Japan relations improvement,” adding, “To avoid diplomatic friction, there is a possibility that the Dokdo defense drills will be conducted passively.”