South Korea and Japan Resume Joint Search and Rescue Exercises After Nine Years

On June 7, during the South Korea-Japan Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), the South Korean Navy's landing ship Cheonjabong (LST-II, 4,900 tons) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Kongo (DDG, 7,250 tons) are extinguishing a fire on a simulated distressed vessel. [Photo=South Korean Navy]

The South Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have resumed their joint Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) for the first time in nine years.

According to the Navy, the exercise took place on June 7 in international waters southeast of Jeju Island.

The SAREX aims to improve joint response capabilities between the South Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the event of a distressed vessel and to enhance humanitarian cooperation.

This training was agreed upon during a defense ministers' meeting in January and marks the first such exercise since December 2017, making it the eleventh since the first one in 1999.

Participating in the exercise from the South Korean Navy was the landing ship Cheonjabong (LST-II, 4,900 tons), while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force contributed the Aegis destroyer Kongo (DDG, 7,250 tons) and an SH-60K maritime operation helicopter.

The training included search and rescue operations for a simulated distressed vessel, fire suppression, first aid, and helicopter landing and takeoff exercises.

The South Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force stated, "We will continue to promote stable and forward-looking exchanges and cooperation through mutual understanding and trust."

On June 7, during the South Korea-Japan Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K maritime operation helicopter conducts landing and takeoff training on the flight deck of the South Korean Navy's landing ship Cheonjabong (LST-II, 4,900 tons). [Photo=South Korean Navy]

* This article has been translated by AI.

Jun sungmin ball@ajunews.com