South Korea and Japan Resume Naval Drills After 9 Years as Regional Threats Mount

Nine years is a long time in geopolitics. The last time South Korean and Japanese naval forces conducted joint search and rescue exercises was 2017. Since then, relations between the two countries have been frozen over historical disputes, trade wars, and diplomatic spats. But on January 30, 2026, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi met in Yokosuka and agreed to resume these crucial drills.

The timing isn't coincidental.

Pragmatism Over Historical Grievances

The joint statement spoke of "activating personnel and unit exchange to boost mutual understanding and trust." Diplomatic language aside, this represents a significant shift toward security pragmatism. Both nations are facing an increasingly complex threat environment that makes their historical animosity a luxury they can no longer afford.

North Korea has already fired short-range ballistic missiles this year, continuing its pattern of provocations. China's military buildup in the region and its growing cooperation with Russia have fundamentally altered the strategic calculus. Meanwhile, the return of the Trump administration signals potential changes in US commitment to the region, putting pressure on allies to shoulder more responsibility for their own defense.

For Seoul and Tokyo, the choice has become stark: maintain historical grievances or adapt to contemporary threats. They've chosen adaptation.

More Than Just Rescue Operations

Search and rescue exercises might sound benign—after all, they're about saving lives at sea. But these operations require sophisticated military coordination. Both navies must share real-time intelligence, coordinate complex maneuvers, and integrate communication systems. It's military cooperation by another name.

The symbolic weight is even greater. By resuming these exercises after nine years, both countries are signaling that security cooperation transcends political disagreements. This builds on the foundation of the 2016 General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which survived its own political crisis in 2019.

The progression is clear: from intelligence sharing to operational cooperation. What comes next could reshape Northeast Asian security architecture.

Domestic Politics vs. Strategic Necessity

Both governments face significant domestic headwinds. In South Korea, public opinion toward Japan remains lukewarm, with approval ratings hovering around 30%. Opposition parties are likely to criticize any military cooperation as diplomatic capitulation. In Japan, conservative supporters welcome the cooperation, but others worry about South Korea's "anti-Japan" sentiment affecting bilateral ties.

Yet both governments are proceeding despite these political costs. This suggests the security imperative has become overwhelming. When politicians risk domestic backlash for foreign policy cooperation, the external threat must be substantial.

The question becomes whether this pragmatic approach can survive the next political crisis between the two countries—and there will be one.

Regional Implications

The resumption of South Korea-Japan military cooperation sends ripple effects throughout the region. China will view this as part of a broader US-led containment strategy, potentially accelerating its own military preparations. North Korea might see it as justification for further weapons development. Russia, already cooperating militarily with North Korea, may deepen those ties.

For the United States, this represents exactly what it has long sought: allies taking greater responsibility for regional security. But it also creates new complexities. Closer South Korea-Japan cooperation could embolden more aggressive US policies in the region, knowing its allies are more aligned.