“\n(Seoul=News1) By reporter Jo Yoon-hyeong = During the annual joint military exercise ‘Balikatan 2024’ (Balikatan∙Shoulder to Shoulder) between the United States and the Philippines, aimed at countering a Chinese military landing, operations were conducted to recapture the Taiwan-controlled island of Yushasi and to sink Chinese vessels. It is reported that during the sinking operation, South Korea’s naval missile ‘Haeseong’ was secretly exported and used in real combat situations.”
“According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 8th, US and Filipino marines conducted military training on the remote village of Itbayat, the northernmost island in the Philippines, on the 6th using Black Hawk helicopters to conduct infiltration and recovery operations.”
“The island is located only 160km away from Taiwan, leading to analysis that the joint forces conducted training to recapture Taiwan, which is under Chinese occupation.”
“Ricardo Jose, a history professor at a university in the Philippines, evaluated Itbayat Island as an ideal location for installing the US Army’s Typhoon missile launcher system to oversee the northern Philippines.”
“Professor Jose stated, ‘The rugged terrain of Batanes Island makes it difficult for external access due to rapidly changing weather conditions,’ and added, ‘When disguised, it is difficult to detect even with reconnaissance satellites.”
“The Typhoon missile launcher system, a medium-range missile launch facility, can precisely target Chinese forces in the Taiwan Strait. During this year’s Balikatan exercise, a Typhoon missile with a range of 370km was used.”
“Furthermore, the US and Filipino forces conducted a training exercise by firing missiles at and sinking a 4700-ton Kalayaan, a Chinese-made supply ship for the Philippine Navy that was anchored outside the Philippine’s 12-nautical-mile territorial waters.”
“It is said that a South Korean naval missile Haeseong, which was secretly exported, was used to sink the target ship during the exercise.”
“The sinking exercise took place amidst the ongoing physical confrontation between China and the Philippines near the Second Thomas Shoal of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.”
“Related defense expert Aaron Matthew Lariosa, who operates in Washington, interpreted this year’s Balikatan exercise as being conducted in anticipation of potential conflicts that could arise in Taiwan. He stated, ‘This exercise is different from previous ones as it is intended to account for possible disputes in Taiwan.'”
“He further explained, ‘It is necessary to remember that during the Pacific War, Japan occupied the northern islands of the Philippines, including Itbayat, before the Philippines was occupied. If a crisis occurs in Taiwan, these islands can serve as strategic strongholds or refugee reception sites.'”
“However, Michael Sedorholm, the commander of the Balikatan Joint Task Force, drew a line by stating that the purpose of this exercise was to enhance interoperability between the two countries’ forces and was not specifically targeting any particular adversary.”
“The exercise, which began on the 22nd of last month and will continue until the 10th of next month, involved over 16,000 troops from the US and Philippines, as well as hundreds of troops from Australia and France. The scenario of foreign invasion of the Philippines was also included in this training.”