Japan's air force chief in S. Korea to discuss bilateral ties

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 28 (Yonhap) -- Japan's air force chief arrived in South Korea on
Tuesday to meet with local defense officials and discuss ways to improve military
trust between the two countries, the Air Force here said.

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Kenichiro Hokazono paid a courtesy
call on South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee in Seoul and plans to meet
with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Kye-hoon, on Wednesday, the Air Force said
in a statement.
"During the five-day trip, Hokazono will discuss practical and detailed measures
to increase trust between the militaries of the two countries," the Air Force
said.
He will discuss the additional installation of a hotline between the air force
units of the two countries and information exchanges on the management of
air-refueling tankers, it said.
Lee, the South Korean Air Force Chief of Staff, will seek cooperation from the
Japanese side on South Korea's planned construction of an international aviation
training center, it said.
Hokazono took over as Japan's top air force general in November last year.
His visit marks the latest effort between the two countries to strengthen their
ties that are often chilled by territorial and historical issues, including the
Japanese claim to the South Korean East Sea islet of Dokdo.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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