일본, 2024년 7월 중국 영해를 침범한 호위함 함장을 해임

[위종민]

2024년 7월 4일 해자대의 호위함 JS 스즈츠키(DD-117, 아키즈키급 호위함, 2014년 취역)가 중국의 군사훈련 감시 임무 도중 중국 절강선 해안에서 12해리 안쪽의 영해를 침범해, 일본 해군 당국의 경고를 받고 위치를 이탈할 때까지 20분 가량 머무는 일이 있었네요. 일본은 이 침범이 고의가 아니라 항법 실수임을 강조하며, 조사 결과 함장이 배의 정확한 위치를 알지 못했고 영해침범 사실을 인지하지 못했음이 드러남에 따라 함장을 해임했다고 합니다. 

이번 사건은 해자대 창설 이래 해군 함정이 사전 통보 없이 중국 영해에 진입한 첫 사례라고 합니다. 

Japan fires destroyer captain after incursion into Chinese waters (defence-blog.com)

Japan fires destroyer captain after incursion into Chinese waters

NewsMaritime Security

ByDaisuke Sato

Sep 23, 2024

Modified date: Sep 23, 2024

Photo by Cody Beam

Japan has dismissed the captain of a Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer following an incident in which the vessel entered Chinese territorial waters in July 2024, according to diplomatic sources cited by Japanese media outlet Kyodo News.

The Suzutsuki, an MSDF destroyer, inadvertently sailed within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of China’s Zhejiang Province during a surveillance operation monitoring Chinese military exercises. The ship remained in Chinese waters for approximately 20 minutes before receiving a warning from Japanese naval authorities, prompting its immediate departure.

The incident, which occurred on July 4, has sparked diplomatic tension between Tokyo and Beijing. While Japan emphasized that the incursion was unintentional and the result of a navigational error, China has expressed strong dissatisfaction, calling the actions “illegal and improper.” Japanese officials later issued an informal notification to China, assuring them that the violation was accidental and highlighting that the destroyer’s commanding officer had been relieved of duty.

Investigations revealed that the captain was unaware of the ship’s exact position at the time and failed to realize that the Suzutsuki had crossed into Chinese waters. Additional failures in communication among the ship’s crew contributed to the oversight. Tokyo has indicated that further disciplinary measures are being considered for other personnel involved.

“This was a navigational error, and the captain has been dismissed as a result,” a diplomatic source stated.

The unauthorized incursion marks the first time since the MSDF’s founding in 1954 that a Japanese naval vessel has unintentionally entered Chinese territorial waters without prior notification.

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