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Japan may seek to work with South Korea in Middle East missions

Japan's Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's residence, Tokyo, June. 18, 2019. (AFP)
Japan's Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's residence, Tokyo, June. 18, 2019. (AFP)
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22 Jan 2020 04:01:51 GMT9
22 Jan 2020 04:01:51 GMT9

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday indicated the possibility of the country considering seeking to cooperate with South Korea in their missions to ensure sea lane safety in the Middle East.

"While Japan conducts its own measures, it is extremely important to cooperate and communicate on an as-needed basis with countries which share our aims," Suga told a press conference.

"We will closely watch moves by the South Korean government," the top Japanese government spokesman added.

 Japan's cabinet late last year decided to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force units to the Middle East on a mission to gather information to ensure safe navigation by ships linked to the country. Two MSDF P-3C patrol aircraft arrived there earlier this month, and a destroyer is set to leave for the region next month.

South Korea's National Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it will send naval units to waters near the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, to help commercial ships related to the country sail safely in the areas.

According to the Japan Times, South Korea will “temporarily expand” and include the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which are linked by the Strait of Hormuz.

The South Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement that the mission would not be part of the US naval coalition in the area.

The South Korean unit has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009.

The 300-strong unit consists of a 4,400-ton destroyer, a Lynx anti-submarine helicopter and three speed boats, according to South Korea’s 2018 defense white paper.

JIJI Press

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