http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/552392.html
Japan to participate in PSI led by Korea
Posted on : Sep.19,2012 15:18 KST
Exercises will be followed by international meeting, both meant to curb flow of WMDs
By Ha Eo-young, staff reporterMarine interdiction exercises, led by the South Korean military with participation from the US, Japan, and Australia, will be taking place on Sept. 27 in international waters between Busan and the Tsushima Islands, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Sept. 18.The exercises, which are part of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on weapons of mass destruction, will be the second of their kind, the first having taken place in 2010. South Korea will be participating with a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer, a 1,500-ton patrol ship, and two other warships. It is also contributing six aircrafts, including patrol planes, and seven search teams.The US is sending a 4,000-ton convoy ship, two aircrafts, one helicopter, and a search team, while Australia is contributing one aircraft.Japan, whose Self Defense Forces’ participation in 2010 generated some controversy, is scheduled to contribute a 4,000-ton destroyer and one patrol aircraft, helicopter, and a search team.Due to concerns about the reaction, the Japanese ships will not dock in Busan like the vessels from other countries. Instead, the ships will leave directly from their Japanese ports and join the exercises in international waters.Ministry of National Defense policy planning officer Shin Won-sik explained that the exercise would follow a hypothetical scenario of stopping, boarding, and searching two vessels suspected of carrying WMDs.“These exercises do not target any particular country” such as North Korea, he added.There is also scheduled to be a tabletop exercise to gauge the response to an actual maritime situation, with 16 countries participating.Meanwhile, a two-day Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting is scheduled to begin on Sept. 24, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Korea National Diplomatic Academy to examine PSI operation plans and share intelligence. Representatives will be attending from 21 countries, including the US, Russia, and the United Kingdom.There are currently 101 countries taking part in the PSI. South Korea began participating in 2005 as an observer before becoming a full member in 2009. It has been taking part in exercises since 2010. Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]