The islands, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are under South Korea’s effective control. The drills were initially planned to make happen in June, but they were postponed to reflect Seoul’s aim to prevent the bilateral relationship from worsening, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Japan's Aug. 2 decision to remove South Korea from its “white list” of nations eligible for preferential trade status in a growing trade dispute triggered the backlash.

“The majority supported the idea that the drill cannot be postponed any longer,” the media reported.

If South Korea goes ahead with the drill, Japan will answer directly.

According to South Korea, Dokdo was recognized by Japan as Korean territory in 1696 following an altercation between Japanese and Korean fishermen. But, in 1905, despite allegedly being under formal jurisdiction of Korea’s Uldo county, the islands were annexed by Japan ahead of its occupation of the peninsula, which lasted for 35 years up until 1945. According to Korea, the islands were “rightly” restored to them at the end of World War II. Japan disagrees.

It asserted that when they tried to sell auto parts to Hyundai Motor Co. and other carmakers, they rigged the bids so certain companies won contracts with favorable conditions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the fair trade commission started its investigation in 2014. It initially planned to announce the fines in mid-July but postponed the announcement in consideration of Japan-South Korea relations.

Maritime Business World