Korean research ship in EEZ around Takeshima islands

Japan has lodged a strong protest with Seoul a er a South Korean research vessel apparently conducted a maritime survey in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone near the Takeshima islands in Shimane Prefecture, the Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 18.

e ministry conveyed through diplomatic channels its demand for an immediate halt to the survey.

is was the second maritime survey by a South Korean research vessel detected in Japan’s EEZ this year, following one in May.

According to the ministry and other sources, the research vessel is the Hae Yang 2000, which belongs to a South Korean national maritime research organization.

On the afternoon of Aug. 18, a Japan Coast Guard patrol boat spotted crew on the research vessel throwing what appeared to be wires into the water in the EEZ, about 100 kilometers northeast of Takeshima. (Aug. 20)