South Korea, Japan to sign military accord

[ejazr]

South Korea, Japan to sign military accord - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za

South Korea will soon sign a military agreement with Japan, officials said on Wednesday, in what would be the first such pact since Tokyo's brutal colonial rule ended in 1945.

The pact calls for sharing intelligence about North Korea and its nuclear and missile programmes among other topics, Yonhap news agency said, citing an unnamed foreign ministry source.

It said the North's long-range missile launch in April and its other military threats had highlighted the need to swap information.

A Seoul foreign ministry spokesman told AFP the agreement covers the "protection of classified information" and would be signed as soon as the two countries complete domestic procedures.

Citing lingering anti-Japan hostility, South Korea last month suspended the signing of the agreement, and of another military accord on sharing logistics and cooperation in peacekeeping.

Seoul decided to go ahead with the intelligence agreement while shelving the more sensitive logistics accord, which could allow Japan's troops to enter the South's territory in times of crisis, Yonhap said.

"The two governments will officially sign the deal as early as this week, or sometime next week at the latest," it quoted a government source as saying, adding that Seoul's cabinet approved the move Tuesday.

A Japanese foreign ministry official in Tokyo said the intention was to sign it "at the earliest possible time".

Many older Koreans have bitter memories of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule and historical disputes still mar the relationship.

The two countries wrangle over ownership of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). And Tokyo has rejected talks on compensating Korean women used by Japan as military sex slaves during World War II.

But South Korea needs the pact "because we have to use Japan's intelligence assets, including its spy satellites and high-end surveillance aircraft", said the South Korean official quoted by Yonhap.

"It is an undeniable fact that the existence of Japan is important for our national security," the official said, citing the presence of US forces in Japan as well as in South Korea.

The military intelligence pact is also needed to cope with China's rise, the official told Yonhap. - Sapa-AFP

 

[ice berg]

S. Korea, Japan Postpone Landmark Military Pact

S. Korea, Japan Postpone Landmark Military Pact | Defense News | defensenews.com

SEOUL — South Korea Friday postponed at the last minute the signing of a landmark military agreement with Japan, amid anger in Seoul over the planned pact with a former colonial ruler.

The information-sharing pact would have been their first military agreement since the end of Japan's brutal 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea.

It would have enabled the two sides, both of whom are close U.S. allies, to swap intelligence about North Korea's missile and nuclear programs and other defense issues.

Many older Koreans have bitter memories of Japan's rule and military cooperation is a sensitive issue. Both the ruling and opposition parties in Seoul called for a delay, saying details have been kept secret.

A senior official of the ruling New Frontier Party, Chin Young, said the public opposes some aspects and it was inappropriate "to rush the signing of the agreement, with its details remaining unknown to the public".

Chin said parliament should have the right to debate the pact even though it is not subject to parliamentary approval.

In an announcement less than one hour before the deal was to be signed in Tokyo, the South's foreign ministry said the government would consult legislators before going ahead.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Osamu Fujimura, said it was "disappointing" that Seoul postponed the signing "due to internal affairs of South Korea".

It was the second time Seoul had postponed the deal.

Citing lingering anti-Japanese hostility, South Korea last month suspended the signing of the agreement, and of another military accord on sharing logistics and cooperation in peacekeeping.

The impending agreement had sparked angry reaction from the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) and activists.

DUP floor leader Park Jie-Won argued it would only intensify military confrontation in northeast Asia, and attacked Seoul's cabinet for approving it behind closed doors.

Watchdog group Citizens Coalition for Economic Justice said it would help Japan's rearmament and pave the way for its troops to set foot on the Korean peninsula.

Historical disputes still mar the two countries' relationship despite their close economic relations.

They wrangle over ownership of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), and Tokyo has rejected talks on compensating Korean women used by Japan as military sex slaves during World War II.

But South Korea wants to use Japan's intelligence assets, including its spy satellites and high-end surveillance aircraft, Yonhap news agency quoted a South Korean official as saying Wednesday.

The military intelligence pact is also needed to cope with China's rise, the official said.

Yonsei University professor Kim Sang-Joon described the incident as an "apparent diplomatic gaffe" but said both countries would try to mend ties despite controversy over the past.

It would not be seriously damaging to the government of President Lee Myung-Bak, Kim told AFP.

 

[indian_sukhoi]

Japans Spy satellites and would be very useful for South Korea to keep an eye over NK missile and nuclear program.

Sharing information and intelligence assets would be vital for both countries

 

[Zero_Wing]

Yup and we are next well its all thanks to China and North Korea but mostly china

 

[Mad Indian]

I think all Asean Nations must sign military accords with each other to tackle the neighbourhood bully.

 

[Zero_Wing]

I think all Asean Nations must sign military accords with each other to tackle the neighbourhood bully.

One problem china is dividing ASEAN Cambodia (the chair of ASEAN) is now a chinese client state so Indonisia and Singapore and Thailand is still waving its option Malaysia is still thinking and my country and Vietnam is on the same page they even agree with our proposal to turn the spartlys in to a peace zone but it is true china is the only problem

 

[no smoking]

I think all Asean Nations must sign military accords with each other to tackle the neighbourhood bully.

The only problem is that they also bully each other, vietnam vs philipin, Malaysia vs singapore, South korea vs Japan, the list can be on and on.

They may cooporate somewhere, but it doesn't mean they will go to the bed together.

 

[no smoking]

One problem china is dividing ASEAN Cambodia (the chair of ASEAN) is now a chinese client state so Indonisia and Singapore and Thailand is still waving its option Malaysia is still thinking and my country and Vietnam is on the same page they even agree with our proposal to turn the spartlys in to a peace zone but it is true china is the only problem

I know how much you dislike China. But claiming that China is the only problem you face in south china sea is a little bit understatement.

Actually, you have the same problem with vietnam, taiwan, Malaysia, indonesia at the same time. They may not get much attention from you public yet. But these problems has been there for a long time.

 

[Zero_Wing]

I know how much you dislike China. But claiming that China is the only problem you face in south china sea is a little bit understatement.

Actually, you have the same problem with vietnam, taiwan, Malaysia, indonesia at the same time. They may not get much attention from you public yet. But these problems has been there for a long time.

And Stop smoking pot