Busan: The Navy is preparing to conduct an international fleet review in late September after delays caused by political unrest linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed bid to impose martial law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Navy had originally scheduled the event for May in Busan, located 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The review was to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of South Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945) and the establishment of the South Korean Navy. However, it was postponed to the latter half of the year.

This year's fleet review is expected to feature only South Korean vessels, as confirmed by the defense ministry. "I understand the fleet review will only comprise our vessels rather than involving those from other nations," stated ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou during a regular press briefing.

A Navy official indicated that the fleet review is likely to occur at the end of September. Discussions are ongoing about whether to invite the United States as part of efforts to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

If the event proceeds, it will be the first international fleet review hosted by the Navy since 2018. Previous reviews took place in 1998, 2008, and 2015. In 2018, Japan was invited but declined to participate due to tensions over its plan to fly the Rising Sun ensign, viewed as a symbol of its imperialist history by Korea.