Block 7 talks resume with Japan

South Korea and Japan will hold a joint committee meeting on 27th September in Tokyo for the first time in 39 years to discuss the joint development of 'mining block 7' continental shelf in the East China Sea.

In 1974, South Korea and Japan signed a treaty to jointly develop a maritime area including what’s known as ‘mining block 7.’ The two sides agreed to set up a working level consultation body called a joint committee and hold a meeting at least once a year.

This was to ensure that both sides meet regularly to check on progress and coordinate opinion. However, the 5th committee meeting was the last to be held in 1985. It was around that time that the first joint exploration came to the conclusion that a meaningful oil well could not be found.