▲ This Oct. 5, 2022, file photo shows Rep. Lee Jae-myung (L), chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, and Rep. Chung Jin-suk, interim chief of the ruling People Power Party, attending the inauguration ceremony of Ven. Jinwoo, new executive chief of the Jogye Order at Jogye Temple in Seoul. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) parties-Japan

(LEAD) Yoon's office defends naval drills with Japan

(ATTN: UPDATES with presidential spokesperson's comments in paras 1, 5-8; CHANGES headline)

SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office defended naval drills with the United States and Japan as an obvious response to North Korea's nuclear threat, after the opposition leader claimed South Korea could end up seeing Japanese troops stationed in the country.

Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party made the remark on Monday while denouncing the trilateral missile-defense exercises, which South Korea held with the United States and Japan in the East Sea last week, as a move legitimizing Japan's Self-Defense Forces as a regular military.

His point was that such exercises would help advance Japan's ambitions to become a normal country capable of waging war and South Korea could fall victim to Japan's renewed militarism and face a fate similar to the 1910-45 colonial rule.

"We cannot imagine the day when the Japanese military invades the Korean Peninsula and the Rising Sun Flag again hangs over the peninsula but it could come true," Lee said, claiming that a military alliance between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan could make the Korean Peninsula a flashpoint.

The presidential office cast the drills as a matter of neighbors joining forces against a common threat.

"The threat of North Korea's nuclear and missile program is biggest for Northeast Asia," deputy presidential spokesperson Lee Jae-myoung said in a radio interview with CBS on Tuesday. "When there is a fire, it's only obvious that neighbors should combine their strengths to put it out."

Lee went on to argue that it is the president's job as commander-in-chief to ensure a seamless defense posture through military exercises and with the help of the Japanese if possible, noting that Japan has the second-largest number of antisubmarine aircraft after the United States.

The spokesperson added that the previous administration of President Moon Jae-in had also recognized the need for trilateral military exercises and agreed to conduct them.

Earlier Tuesday, ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Chung Jin-suk said no one would buy the opposition leader's claim at a time when exchanges between South Korea and Japan are set to increase further. Chung also said Lee's claim is one of two most absurd remarks, along with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's promise to give up his nuclear programs.

"I hope he won't blind the people with a frivolous take on history," he said. "I promise to the people. Unless the Republic of the Korea is in a situation where it has renounced its sovereign power, the Japanese military will not be allowed to station in South Korea."

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