A file picture showing North Korea's mobile missile launcher.[Yonhap News Photo]
South Korea's defense ministry vowed Friday to push for cabinet approval of an information-sharing military accord with Japan after signing it tentatively as early as next week.
The ministry said it would try to initiate the General Security of Military Information Agreement probably next week. "We've reached agreement" on the wording of the military accord, spokesman Moon Sang- gyun told reporters, adding the pact would be sent to a screening board of the Ministry of Government Legislation.
The two nations initiated the pact in 2012, but Seoul scrapped it due to strong protests by opposition parties and civic groups. The two nations resumed negotiations this year, citing high tensions prompted by North Korea's frequent missile and nuclear tests.
Opposition parties insisted the pact could escalate tension in and around the Korean Peninsula while expressing concern about the militaristic tone of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
South Korea's defense ministry insisted the pact would help Seoul and Tokyo share extensive military information on North Korea. Especially, Seoul would gain intelligence collected by Japan's surveillance satellites and Aegis-equipped destroyers.
In December 2014, the United States, South Korea and Japan signed a preliminary deal for voluntary sharing of military secrets on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The deal would help Seoul and Tokyo to share intelligence through Washington.
Ties between Seoul and Tokyo have soured due to territorial and historical disputes. Many South Koreans still harbor deep resentment against Japan over its 1910-45 colonial rule, and Seoul wants Tokyo to make a sincere apology and make amends for past wrongdoings.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
