Korean Coast Guard Adds Vessel to Dokdo Patrol

The Korea Coast Guard said on March 18 that it would strengthen its defense of Dokdo by dispatching an additional 1,000-ton patrol vessel to the islet.

The Korea Coast Guard has so far deployed multiple vessels near Dokdo. Three patrol craft ranging from 500 to 5,000 tons had been assigned to the Dokdo area. With the addition of another vessel, more than two vessels will be guarding Dokdo.

Meanwhile, the chief of the National Police Agency, Heo Joon-young, and the head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Yoo Hong-joon, will visit Dokdo and decide if supplementary construction will be needed to expand the landing stages (platforms) and reinforce the rails there on March 19.

In addition, the governor of Gyeongbuk province, Lee Eui-keun, is scheduled to visit Dokdo with officials of the Deep-Sea Fisheries Resources Research Center of the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute and the Pohang Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office on March 19.

They are expected to conduct background investigation work to enforce a “Comprehensive plan to protect Dokdo” prepared by the Gyeongbuk-do Office.

Sung-Jin Choi needjung@donga.com choi@donga.com