South Korea's defense minister reconfirms recognition of ``intimidating flight, not radar irradiation'' regarding MSDF patrol aircraft issue

Lee Jung-seop, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Korea, said that in 2018, a South Korean naval vessel irradiated a Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft with a fire control radar, calling it a "threatening flight of Japan". And reconfirmed the point.

When asked about the MND's position on the MSDF patrol plane issue by Minjoo Party lawmaker Yoon Hoo-duk at a National Assembly Defense Committee meeting on the 23rd, Lee answered saying, "It's true that a Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane made a threatening flight."

Lee said, "The key point is whether or not a South Korean navy vessel irradiates the radar during this process." and "Our position is that we did not, but Japan claims that [a South Korean Navy vessel] did" he said.

In addition, Minister Lee said, "The positions of the Ministry of National Defense are different between Japan and South Korea on this issue, so we have to clarify the facts, and we have held working-level discussions several times. As Japan-South Korea relations progress, we will firmly move forward with this part (discussions)."

When asked by Rep. Yoon that he should receive an apology from Japan for the threatening flight of a Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane, he replied, "We will discuss that part later."