Strong opposition delays S Korea military pact with Japan

The General Security of Military Information Agreement would allow the two nations to share sensitive intelligence, especially on North Korea and China. Proponents argue that information exchange is necessary as they view Pyongyang’s recent activities as provocative. Currently, South Korea’s government exchanges information with Japan indirectly through the US. The trilateral relationship between South Korea, the US, and Japan has been ever-growing. Last week, the three countries held a two-day naval drill aimed at deterring North Korea.

Though Washington encouraged the agreement, South Korean government officials denied that Seoul was to induced by the US to sign the pact with Japan. Security experts worry however, that the military deal with Japan would trigger a paradigm of Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo against Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow.

South Korea had put off earlier discussions on signing the intelligence deal, as ties with Japan were strained over a long-running territorial dispute. If signed, the agreement would mark the first military pact between the two countries. South Korea has similar military deals with 24 other countries, including Russia, Canada, and France.

Despite the government’s earlier promise to consult the National Assembly, the Cabinet approved the deal on Tuesday behind closed-doors. The current administration said Friday that though the next steps are unknown, before any further decisions are made, it will explain the details in Parliament.