(LEAD) S. Korea, Japan agree to resume naval search, rescue drills after 9 yrs

▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (2nd from L) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) walk together in Japan, in this photo provided by the defense ministry on Jan. 30, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Japan-defense talks

(LEAD) S. Korea, Japan agree to resume naval search, rescue drills after 9 yrs

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SEOUL/YOKOSUKA, Japan, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Japan have agreed to resume their bilateral naval search and rescue exercise for the first time in nine years as part of efforts to promote military exchange, Seoul's defense ministry said Friday.

The agreement came as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, held defense ministerial talks in the Japanese port city of Yokosuka earlier in the day.

"Both ministers concurred on activating personnel and unit exchange to boost mutual understanding and trust between the South Korean military and the Japanese Self-Defense Force," the ministry said in a joint press release.

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