According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun, the South Korean and Japanese governments had considered allowing a South Korean Air Force aircraft to refuel at a Japanese Self-Defense Force base for the first time, but the plan was scrapped due to the flight history of some of the aircraft over Dokdo.
As reported on the 2nd, the South Korean side requested that the Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, be allowed to stop at Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, for refueling in early November, as they would be traveling to participate in an airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in mid to late November.
Japan reportedly reviewed the request positively in the interest of promoting exchanges and cooperation between the South Korean military and the Self-Defense Forces. However, after confirming that some of the Black Eagles had recently flown over Dokdo, Japan expressed its objection and decided not to accept the request.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi decided to halt the refueling support plan on October 30, just before holding her first summit meeting with President Lee Jaemyung.
Since South Korea and Japan have not signed a mutual Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), Japan had planned to provide fuel based on certain provisions of the Self-Defense Forces Act.
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