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New naval fleet to defend Korean islets of Dokdo, Ieodo

Posted January. 06, 2012 01:39,   

한국어

Korea plans to establish a naval fleet to defend the country`s easternmost and southernmost waters. The move is aimed at preventing territorial disputes with Japan and China while responding to the naval buildup of the two neighbors.

According to the National Assembly`s special committee on budget and settlement Thursday, the 2012 national budget approved by parliament at the end of last year increased the Defense Acquisition Program Administration`s research budget by 500 million won (433,849 U.S. dollars). Parliament set aside the amount specifically for conducting research on strengthening mid- to long-term sea power in response to China`s and Japan`s naval buildup.

In addition, parliament made it clear in conditions for the budget that the defense agency research raising Korea`s naval power and that the Defense Ministry devise an action plan based on the study`s findings and implement administrative measures including the budget.

The condition indicates that the National Assembly pressured the administration to conduct preliminary research with 500 million won (433,764 U.S. dollars) this year and take concrete measures to increase naval power to defend the islets of Dokdo and Ieodo on the far edges of the nation`s territorial waters. The amount was reflected in the 2012 budget due to the strong request of the ruling Grand National Party.

A source at the special committee said the ultimate goal is to establish a Dokdo-Ieodo fleet of 10 naval vessels -- two Aegis and four domestically developed destroyers, two patrol ships and two submarines.

"Around 6.5 trillion won (5.63 billion dollars) will be injected into the project over the next five years," the source said.

Once established, the fleet will use a naval base on Jeju Island scheduled for completion in 2015.

Since the 1990s, the Korean Navy has sought to found a task fleet of two task flotillas to cope with territorial disputes and secure maritime transportation routes. But only one flotilla was set up early last year due to budget constraints.



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