Tokyo, June 7 -- Japan and South Korea conducted joint naval exercises on Sunday for the first time since 2017, practicing search and rescue operations, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency.
The Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was carried out by the South Korean Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force in international waters southeast of Jeju Island, the South Korean Navy said.
The drills also took place west of the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyodo reported.
Japan deployed a Kongo-class guided missile destroyer equipped with the U.S.-made Aegis ballistic missile defense system, while South Korea participated with a Cheon Wang Bong-class amphibious landing ship. A Japanese maritime patrol helicopter also took ...