US eyes partnership with Korea for maritime radar in disputed waters

JEJU ISLAND — A U.S. Special Operations Command official identified a Korean research group as a potential partner for a grant to install a powerful maritime radar in the waters southwest of Jeju Island around Ieodo, a submerged reef where Korea has maintained a science station to monitor the seas and assert maritime control. The suggestion came after China was found setting up structures in the West Sea, where Ieodo is located and where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) overlap. The Ieodo Research Society, a civilian think tank with close ties to Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, received inquiries about the possibility of a $150,000 grant to install the radar, according to people familiar with the discussions. “I have a $150,000 U.S. government grant to provide partners with enhanced maritime domain awareness radar. We would be able to set up and run a server and push all of the data to whomever you chose. I would like to discuss further,” the official said in an email to the think tank, obtained by The Korea Times. The official added that improved moWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times