South Korea, Japan to hold joint naval exercise
SEOUL, — South Korea and Japan will hold a joint biennial naval exercise in the East Sea starting this week, the South Korean Navy said Tuesday.
Sailors aboard Japanese destroyer JS KONGO (DDG 173) watch pierside line handlers as the ship moors pierside Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Oct. 15, 2007 (James E. Foehl/ U.S. Navy)
According to the navy, the Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) will be held in the waters near the South Korean islets of Dokdo and the Japanese Oki Islands from July 2 to 10.
During the exercise, the two nations’ destroyers, helicopters and aircraft will be deployed. The exercise is scheduled to end with ceremonies designed to promote the relations between the two navies, the South Korean navy said.
The exercise was first started in 1999 to enhance military ties between the two neighboring nations. (Xinhua)