South Korea Conducts Second Dokdo Defense Drill Under Lee Government, Drawing Protest from Japan
South Korea conducted its second regular defense drill of the year near the Dokdo islets, a territory also claimed by Japan, drawing a swift diplomatic protest from Tokyo.
A routine drill, a predictable protest. South Korea has conducted its regular defense exercise near its easternmost islets of Dokdo, prompting an immediate diplomatic complaint from Japan. According to a military source cited by Yonhap News, the exercise took place on Tuesday and marked the second such drill under President Lee Jae Myung's government.
A Regular Show of Force
The military source stated that the drill was part of the annual East Sea defense exercises, implemented to "fulfill the mission of protecting our territory, people and property." While further details on participating assets were not provided, the source confirmed the latest exercise was similar in scale and method to past drills. South Korea initiated these defense drills in 1986 and has conducted them twice a year since 2003. The previous exercise under the current administration was held in July.
Recurring Diplomatic Friction
The Dokdo islets have long been a source of tension between Seoul and Tokyo. Japan continues to lay claim to the territory, which it calls Takeshima, in policy papers and school textbooks. In response to the latest drill, Japan's foreign ministry announced it had lodged protests with the South Korean Embassy in Japan and to Seoul's foreign ministry. South Korea has maintained effective control over the islets, stationing a small police detachment there since its liberation from Japan's1910-45 colonial rule.
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As Japan transforms into a regional military power to counter China, the US faces a critical choice between alliance deepening or strategic retreat in the Indo-Pacific.
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