Seoul’s plan to develop a naval base on Ulleung Island is aimed at boosting its claim over the disputed Dokdo islets. It will also inflame tensions with Japan.
South Korea’s decision to build a naval pier at Sadong Port on Ulleung Island is creating further strains in its already troubled relationship with Japan.
Ulleung is the closest South Korean territory to disputed islets known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan that are claimed by both countries. South Korea’s Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry is set to provide 217.5 billion won ($183 million) for the base, with the remainder of the cost to be borne by the National Defence Ministry. Construction is expected to begin early next year and, once completed in 2015, this ‘forward-deployment’ naval base will feature a 300 metre pier large enough to accommodate high-tech Aegis destroyers as well as South Korea’s 14,000 ton amphibious landing ship, the Dokdo. S
South Korea hopes that the new base will help strengthen its territorial claims on Dokdo as the base would enable its ships to reach the islands much more quickly than is currently possible. It takes just under three hours for a Japanese naval vessel to reach Dokdo from the Oki Islands of Shimane Prefecture. From Ulleung, South Korean ships would be able to reach Dokdo Island in about 90 minutes, compared with the about four hours it currently takes a South Korean naval vessel to reach Dokdo from the port of Jukbyeon in Uljin, North Gyengsang Province.
The move comes at a time of rising tensions between South Korea and Japan over Dokdo. In June, Korean Air undertook a test flight of its new aircraft over Dokdo, prompting Japan’s Foreign Ministry to describe the flight as a violation of Japan’s airspace. Tokyo ordered its public servants to boycott Korean Air for a month. In early August, a visit to Seoul by three conservative members of the Japanese Diet who were heading to Ulleung Island was met with angry protests from South Koreans who saw the high-profile trip as yet another attempt by Japan to boost its claim to the disputed islets. The lawmakers, from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party, were sent back to Japan the same day. Meanwhile, South Korea issued a strong diplomatic protest against Japan’s 2011 defence white paper, which described the islands as Japanese territory.
It was against this backdrop of escalating diplomatic tensions that South Korea unveiled its plan to construct the new naval base, an announcement that itself followed a statement earlier this year that the South Korean Navy also planned to deploy new frigates at the base.
The sparsely inhabited islets, located in waters rich in marine life, have been a source of diplomatic tension for decades. Since 1954, South Korea has stationed a small marine police force on the islets, which Japan describes as an illegal occupation. South Korea, for its part, has consistently rejected Japanese claims over Dokdo. Seoul argues that it reclaimed sovereignty over all its territory, including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula, when it regained independence. South Korea therefore views Japan’s territorial claims as a sign that Japan hasn’t fully repented for its 1910-45 colonial rule of the Peninsula.
South Korea’s decision over Ulleung Island, and its plan to develop another naval base on Jeju Island, appear to be part of a broader defence infrastructure build-up and expansion of the country’s defensive capabilities. Indeed, according to the Defence Ministry, the country’s defence budget next year will rise by 5.6 percent compared with this year. The 33.1 trillion won budget is to be spent on enhancing the combat readiness of the military, and the fortification of five border islands that are vulnerable to potential attack by North Korea. The ministry is also planning to purchase new combat equipment, improve military medical facilities, and boost investment in defence research and development efforts. About 25.8 billion won will be earmarked for a programme designed to nurture experts on countering the growing threats of cyber terrorism.
As a part of its defence acquisition programme, South Korea in August received its first airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from Boeing. Named ‘Peace Eye,’ the first surveillance aircraft landed at the Air Force base in Gimhae, about 450 kilometres southeast of Seoul. Under a $1.6 billion contract signed in November 2006, Boeing is to deliver four of these aircraft to South Korea by 2012. The surveillance aircraft is equipped with a multi-role, electronically scanned radar antenna and can detect and monitor up to 1,000 airborne or surface targets simultaneously within a 370 kilometre radius. The first aircraft has now been deployed with the South Korean Air Force after undergoing test flights.
There’s no doubt that for South Korea, the threat from its northern neighbour looms very large, and it’s clear the naval base in Jeju Island is being developed to counter the threat from Pyongyang. China’s increasingly assertive stance in the nearby South China Sea, where a number of countries have competing territorial claims, is another factor behind Seoul’s ramped-up defence preparedness.
Yet it’s hard not to feel that compared with the threats posed by North Korea and China, South Korea’s perception of Japan’s quest for control of Dokdo – and its response in developing the naval base on Ulleung Island – seem overdone. Sovereignty over the Dokdo islets has more emotive than strategic value for South Korea, and it’s clear that it is bitter historical memories that are shaping South Korea’s defence policy vis-à-vis Japan. Yet the fact remains that Japan’s current defence policy shows no sign of reverting to its military expansionist past. With this in mind, South Korea’s security strategists would be far better crafting an approach that’s grounded in present day realities, not those of the past.
Rajaram Panda is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (www.idsa.in) in New Delhi. This is an edited and abridged version of an article that was originally published by the organization here.
Photo Credit: US Navy
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Rafa
I know that many Americans will quickly side with Japan – after all, it was not Korea who made anime or Toyota. But, still, pragmatically speaking – Koreans view the Japanese the same way most Jews view Germany even today. You have to understand that. And while Korea may have serious problems, as this IS a sensitive WW2-related issue, I think Japan should really back down.
Even North Korea has publicly supported the South’s claims, while China and Taiwan are united against Japan over Diaoyu/Senkaku. Even Russia has problems with Japan over Kuril. This is not Japan’s justice – it is its ancient arrogance resurfacing once more.
Vivian Kallankari
Why are Japanese people so jingoistic? They should really get rid of politicians from right party. Its struggle with China, Soviet Union and Korea clearly shows that Japan is the one who’s causing this whole controversy. What a chauvinist!
Steven j baber
It’s not Korea that is escalating the Dokdo (Takeshima) dispute. It is Japan.
The recent actions by Koreans are long-contemplated measures implemented immediately following Japanese provocations.
These escalations started following Shimane Prefecture’s decision to start Takeshima Day in 2005. The revision of Japanese schoolbooks, printing of government maps and publications stating that Dokdo (Takeshima) is Japanese have been inflaming the problem more recently. The Japanese government’s foolish attempt to raise a stink on Ulleungdo Island spurred the ROK into wisely maintaining a military presence near Dokdo.
The Ulleungdo base is a good idea. It will stop the Japanese (private and government) from doing something stupid such as planting a flag on Dokdo (Takeshima) or any act false acts of sovereignty over the islets. A few years back some Japanese right wing extremists tried this. It can also help deter Japanese fishermen from deliberately straying into Korean territory to provoke the ROK.
Koreans have learned from over 400 years of encroachment by Shimane Prefecture (Japan)
Shimane Prefecture have always perceived Korea’s weak defense of territorial borders as tacit approval for invasion.
http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/
ozivan
@Izanami&Izanagi Both of you said : Be prepared to hear about these disputes forever – until Japan finally becomes an independent sovereign nation again.
It would be interesting to hear directly from the Japanese why you felt that the current Japan is not an independent sovereign nation ?
My curiosity is not a trap question and meant no mischief, as I have posted this comment elsewhere in Diplomat : China, the Varyag And Trust.
@Grant. Granted that you can have your own opinion, I have to add further on this one that you have claimed : You want to know why we have bases in Okinawa, we openly say why. It’s to deter attacks on Japan and support U.S forces in East Asia.
My comment (paragraphs re-arranged) :
After WW2, the US imposed treaties on Japan allowing US to have military bases in Japan for the original objective of preventing a resurgence of Japanese militarism. It was also to ensure that Japan will never have the opportunity to re-arm, particularly with atomic bombs. In return for forsaking wars by Japan, which the US wrote and imposed a peace constitution on Japan, the US undertook to look after Japan’s defence.
Japan then became a client state of America, a subservient status defined for Japan by the US. It was not out of any noble intentions by the US. This was the original intention.
Since then, Japan never had any opportunity to think, act or decide independently (except on economic policies) on foreign affairs and defence without US oversight.
Unquote.
What’s yours ?
Izanami&Izanagi
@ozivan
Just like the author of this article – you answered your own question.
“… Japan never had any opportunity to think, act or decide independently (except on economic policies) on foreign affairs and defence without US oversight.”
Privately, most Japanese people understand this asymmetrical dynamic. The younger generation is less accepting of this thinking than the older generation who were mostly forced to live and fight through the horrors of war.
The Falkland Islands War is a perfect example of true sovereignty.
Japan can never do the same – the west won’t allow this – especially since S.K. is such a strategic partner to the China/N.Korea containment policy.
To clarify my earlier point:
South Korea is physically attacked by a North Korean torpedo sinking an entire military naval ship – the Cheonan – KILLING some of its crew members in March of LAST YEAR ! South Korea’s response: nothing. No flag or effigy burnings, no protest marches in droves, no combative rhetoric, and above all no response in kind. Why ?
What happens 8 months later in November 2010 – less than a year ago ? A South Korean military base is bombarded by a North Korean shell attack hitting military and CIVILIAN targets – causing casualties, again. What does S.K. do – Nothing – Nada – Zilch. Why?
The reason is because North Korea CAN and will actually respond with force. A true sovereignty has this option to unilaterally initiate foreign policy with this ability – this has been true since the beginning of time with the first nomadic tribes which eventually evolved into the rise of the nation state. Humans are humans. Only push around the guy you know will never push you back.
These very real and very current security issues does not prompt Seoul to build a naval base against North Korea, but rather, against one of its largest supporters both financially and technologically – Japan. The economies of South Korea and Japan are so intertwined that it would be a major detriment for both nations to get into it with each other militarily. Sony Bravia LCD displays are being manufactured in South Korea by Samsung utilizing advanced Japanese technologies as manufacturing/technology PARTNERS. There are many many more countless examples of these types of partnered collaborations. South Korea has emerged as an economic powerhouse in the past two decades in large part due to Japanese investment and know how which has become much more like modern day Japan.
Keep in mind that the current democratic electoral system did not actually happen in South Korea until the late 1980′s – South Korea was ruled with an iron fist by a military junta until then. Many South Koreans will privately agree that it was a very closed and very very conservative society back then compared to now.
Oops, is this a theme or something… did I just answer my own ‘why’ question ?
Is there an election coming up in South Korea?
ozivan
@Izanami & Izanagi. Thank you very much indeed for taking the trouble to reply. Your opinion is insightful on some aspects of Japanese thoughts.
Most of all, I am most impressed with your calm, measured and cool tone and manner of asking and writing, which once again re-affirm my impression of the Japanese as a people with very refined manners and culture.
I hope to share more with both of you when the next opportunity arise.
Frank
Westerners do not understand East Asians.
To East Asians, history is everything.
Huang
The author of this article is saying that South Korea should allow the Japanese “campaign of island claiming” to proceed un-challenged because the real or actual threats to S.Korea is its Communist brothers in the North and its Communist neighbor from its West-China. It does not need an expert strategist or a good historian to deduce the single-sidedness(Japanese side),narrowed,and boxed-in(failed to place the disputes in an over-all context),and the emotive interpretation of the author’s view point or perspective(India) to declare the story incomplete and not well conceived.
Japan is currently under US management-any pronounced or strategic moves and undertakings must first be approved by the US. Japan’s right-wing elements were and are not crack-down or cleared-out by the US is indicative of US consents or even encouragements as far as the recent incidents with Chinese fishing vessal,the North islands(Russia),and this S.Korean islets are concerned. In a way,the US perceives and is confident that Japan’s assertions toward Russia,China,and S and N Korea pose no threats to US strategic interests. Instead,Japan’s recent activities in many ways benifit US’s Strategic interests in North East Asia.
As far as “rising from the ashes” is concerned, this idea only exist in fictions and stories detailing different fantasies. In real life(as we living in at the moment),such notions are afforded only to some well-fed,full-of-un-deliverable-dreams,and an in-ability to envision productive ideas to escape their own internal demons.
Co-incidently,the US will soon recognize the potential benifits to US strategic interests(actually,the term defines US global dominance payable by US tax payers’ money and will not affect US’s core interests either way)from playing the Japan card and the shackles or leashes will be loosen in the very near future. Will the Japanese attempts to “rise from the ashes” help or harm Japan’s future is a question Japan’s scholars and ordinary citizens should start take notice of. One thing certain, NorthEast Asia today is a World different from the NorthEast Asia in the 1900s-1945. Today’s China is NOT the China of the 1800s-1948.
Finally, It would in Japan’s interest to look forward(be China’s and other Asian nations’ best friend and neighbor) and outward (think of Japan as a member of the larger Asian cmmunity of nations) and drop any un-realistic ideas conceived and acted upon with destructive results to Japan and its people seven or eigth decades ago. How ever novel or majestic the dreams are, if they are acted upon by people seriously detached from their real surroundings–they will be just some tragic repetition of stupidities.
P.S. The following quote might sound arrogant,yet its the best way to describe the situation “No matter how much food one try to force down a mice’s mouth, it will never grow into an elephant”.
stmkwsky
I don’t see how that’s relevant to the article. South Korea already controls the islands with its coast guard, a small base, lighthouse, helipad and a pair of permanent residents. Unless you’ve already taken sides as to who owns the island, your bias is hard to conceal.
Huang
@Stomiksky,
It was intended and meant to provide a more thorought perspective of the topic I feel the author was not covering to be fair and non-bias.
John Chan
@stmkwsky:
Huang provided an objective analysis of the article, then he went further to provide sound and long term advices to Japanese for free and for the sake of Asia’s peace and prosperity. I would take it one step further, his comment should be the motto for the Japan PMs to establish as Japan’s national policy, because Japanese PMs were not getting sound advices like Huang’s, therefore Japan has been behaving inappropriately and incompetently lately, the farce of DiaoYu Islands is an example. For Japan to become a responsible and respected member of Asian, Japan must heed to Huang’s advice.
Frank
You are right on.
Today’s North East Asia is NOT the one in early 1900. North East Asia is moving towards its original status.
Korea-China alliance was and will be the master of North East Asia for thousands of years before and to come.
South Koreans are preparing their mastership by building a naval base to keep Japan in check.
mareo2
This remember me Putin er… I mean Medvedev redeploying troops in the border with Japan. Ultra-nationalism is a popular political pandering in many countries. It is not based on evidence and cold facts, it appeal to emotions like fears. For the politicians in the ROK and the Russian Federation is far easer distract the voters by “showing Japan our firm resolution to defend our sovereignty” than fight back muslim terrorists bombing russian civilians or the Kim dynasty killing korean civilians. If a government can’t protect their citizens, not even fight back, then bashing someone else make their people feel better. Is like saying “Look! We are not a weak country! We still can contain Japan!”. If punching my country make you feel better, then do it, but in my humble opinion there is better ways of expend the money of korean and russian tax-payers.
yang zi
Japan is doomed, in a sense it can never be a normal country, it should make a choice.
the choice so far seems to be confrontational against China. from the history perspective, China has done nothing to Japan. quite opposite, Japan has been aggressive to China.
Japan and China shouldn’t be at logger heads. so what China will be strong, we are still neighbors and have to live with each other, China won’t invade Japan simply because invasion doesn’t pay. what are you worrying about?
John
Actually, technically if China claims ownership of territory controlled by the mongols in the past then they also claim responsibility for thier actions.
Thus China attacked Japan in the past.
John Chan
@John:
Good observation, China and Mongol are the same entity, Mongol is a part of China now.
nirvana
@Mareo2
>>Ultra-nationalism is a popular political pandering in many countries.
Agreed. We can observe that countries having a strong state propaganda are playing with the amalgame between “nationalism” and “patriotism”.
A nationalist blindly supports his government, no matter what it does. A patriot is proud of his country but, when necessary, will have the courage to challenge his government. Nationalism leads to arrogance and war. Patriotism leads to responsibility and can prevent war.
John Chan
China just wants to rise peacefully, its citizens criticize the pitfalls of the nation openly non-stop, but it refuses unfair portray firmly too. China’s self-confidence is a new norm internationally, and the established interest groups are resentful to such change and are resisting such change with all means, some of those means are really disgusting.
ozivan
@Nirvana & Mareo. A nationalist blindly supports his government, no matter what it does. A patriot is proud of his country but, when necessary, will have the courage to challenge his government. Nationalism leads to arrogance and war. Patriotism leads to responsibility and can prevent war.
So, what was it when Japan went to war in WW2 ? Nationalism or Patriotism or a stew of both ?
yang zi
this author is a lightweight.
Izanami&Izanagi
“…the fact remains that Japan’s current defence policy shows no sign of reverting to its military expansionist past.”
You answered your own question. The only reason Korea is so vocal and combative against Japan is the fact that Japan can NEVER respond to this matter in a way that a true sovereign state would / should.
It is such a safe bet for Korean politicians filled with tons of political capital catered for their domestic body politic. Why would any sane and rational government want to militarily get into it with anyone else? The ONLY reason any responsible person would do such a thing is knowing that the other side will NOT respond – at all.
This applies to the Northern Territories, the Senkaku Islands, and North Korea’s launch of Nuclear capable Ballistic Missiles over the entire national air space of Japan. What other nation in the world would put up with that? – let alone a first world nation. It would take 2 seconds for Japan to reassert its military past AND regional geo political dominance. Japan has, however, learned from its past and has matured enough as a nation and people to understand that resorting to military posturing is NOT a pragmatic option. In fact, Japanese people have come to learn that resorting to violence is the lowest form of humanity. The Japanese have made a career out of ignoring Korea’s demands for millenniums. In turn, Koreans have become experts in doing things OUTSIDE the rule of law as loudly and as obnoxiously as possible to get their point across.
It is truly odd – the more Japan helps Korea and China economically, financially, and technologically – the more these nations start to huff and puff against Japan and bring up last century issues.
Be prepared to hear about these disputes forever – until Japan finally becomes an independent sovereign nation again. Based on the current state of affairs in Japan and the regional instability created by everyone around it – Japan – will once again rise from the ashes and show the world the undeniable and resolute spirit of YAMATO. We can never forget that the Empire of Japan was formed in direct response to encroaching foreign powers into East Asia threatening Japan’s sovereignty. These conditions are a perfect brew for the extreme militant right to highjack Japanese politics and take over control of the nation.
Sound familiar?
John
If Japan continues to push its claim for a rock in the South Korean waters based only on a historical past of colonialization then they are stupider than I give them credit for.
I know Koreans and if there is one thing that will push them to conflict, its a unacceptable claim over a rock in the waters of the East Sea called Dokdo.
I am sorry, but Japan has more to lose than gain from this claim. Even if it had historical right in its favor, the Koreans have historical grudges and this is a sticking point for them.
To people uninvolved in this issue it might not seem much, but it is a deeper issue. The Japanese may want to make a claim here so as to stand up for thier rights on the Russian claimed islands or the Senkakus that China claims, but this isn’t it.
This is one area, they are better leaving alone.
stmkwsky
It is rather inconceivable that Korea or Japan will be pushed to conflict over these rocks, I think your knowledge of Koreans is somewhat exaggerated. The island dispute goes back far beyond Japanese colonialism, and can be best described as a no-man’s land unclaimed and uninhabited by either side.
Huang
@stomikosky,
Indeed,it is unlikely that Japan and South Korea will resort to any unwise military conflicts over these islets. Unfortunately, S.Korea is taking the neccessary pre-cautions due to Japan’s recent laspses of memories and began their campaigns of islands claimings against China,Korea,Taiwan,and Russia.
Furthermore,recent Japanese attitudes,conservative right-wing sentiments’the re-writing of textbooks,and other military gestures or postures demonstrated a Japan that is not planning to be in any way an equal and constructive partner in NorthEast Asia.
Although the actual conditions and environments have dramatically changed,some elements in Japanese society are still un-willing to live up-to-the-time. In any case, it’s not IF, but when they find the wisdoms to embrace what is real and new.
John
Stmkwsky,
You may be right, but I would not lay any wagers on it.
Dokdo is one issue that seems to create issues for Koreans. I have heard too many people try to seek my opinion over the matter to believe that if Japan tried to forcibly take the island or if the ICJ gave it to Japan that Korea would not make an issue, even if it meant conflict.
The Govt. might not want too, but popular opinion would force them into it, I feel.
John
Maybe my understanding of Koreans is exaggerated, but then I am not sure what you base your understading of them on. Why do you think Dokdo isn’t important to Koreans?