How Tensions In Northeast Asia Led To South Korea Firing Warning Shots At A Russian Warplane

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Josh Smith, Reuters: How a web of disputes between Japan, South Korea, North Korea, China, and Russia almost boiled over this week

* Russia, China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan were all involved in encounters on, in, and above a patch of ocean in northeast Asia this week.
* The countries are all involved in disputes over air, land, and water in the area.

SEOUL (Reuters) - The wedge of sea between Japan, Russia, and the Korean peninsula became a new flashpoint this week, with a regional airspace dispute, a seized fishing boat, and missile tests by North Korea aggravating longstanding tensions.

The patch of ocean is commonly known as the Sea of Japan, but South Korea argues it should be known by the more neutral name the East Sea.

The dispute over the name exemplifies the numerous conflicting interests in the area, which has been the scene of sometimes intense military and political brinkmanship.

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WNU Editor: Both China and Russia feel embolden with their political-military alliance. Expect more confrontations in the future in this part of Asia.