Japan’s defense chief in Korea for deeper defense ties

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Korea, Saturday, for talks with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, as the two countries seek to step up cooperation and exchanges at the defense level. Koizumi’s two-day trip to Seoul — his first in his current capacity — comes amid a continued positive momentum in bilateral relations and reciprocates Ahn’s visit to Yokosuka near Tokyo in January for bilateral talks. Koizumi began his trip by visiting the Seoul National Cemetery and paying respects to fallen soldiers. Later in the day, Koizumi was set to join Ahn on a visit to an Air Force base in the eastern provincial city of Wonju, home to Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic team. Their visit to the unit draws attention because Japan had rejected Korea’s request for refueling support for the Black Eagles en route to an air show in Dubai in November last year. It took issue with one of the team’s aircraft after it took part in a routine drill over Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo, over which Japan has long laid territorial claims. Ahn and Koizumi agreed to settle the issue during their

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