South Korea and Japan agreed to prevent recurrence of a 2018 maritime dispute and enhance bilateral security cooperation.
South Korea and Japan have agreed to prevent a recurrence of a 2018 maritime dispute over a Japanese patrol aircraft, which had hindered efforts to strengthen bilateral security cooperation. The incident involved a low-altitude flyby by a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft over a South Korean warship. Both countries will work towards ensuring the "smooth and safe" operations of their warships and aircraft, facilitated by fluent communications in accordance with the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. The defense ministers also agreed to reactivate bilateral defense talks to rebuild mutual trust and advance their trilateral security cooperation with the United States amid North Korea's military threats.