SEOUL, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- South Korea plans to reinforce air and maritime patrols in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, as its dispute over boundaries with Japan continues.
The Korean Herald, quoting an unidentified official source, said the Korean Coast Guard would add vessels, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in the face of its numerical disadvantage.
South Korea has only one aircraft, 22 helicopters, 22 large warships and 39 mid-sized ships patrolling the area. In comparison, Japan uses 29 planes, 46 helicopters and 116 ships on patrol duty.
"We need to strengthen the police force on an everyday basis to secure Korea's maritime sovereignty," the official said.
South Korea and Japan have been in dispute for decades over rocky islets in the East Sea/Sea of Japan. They are even in dispute over the name for the expanse of water that separates them geographically.
The two are scheduled to meet in September to try to set a demarcation for their overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones.
