South Korea and Japan sign military intelligence-sharing deal

CNN ^ | November 23, 2016 | Paula Hancocks and Yoonjung Seo

[2ndDivisionVet]

Japan and South Korea, once bitter enemies, have agreed to their closest military cooperation since the end of World War II.

The deal, which has been in the pipeline for five years, will allow both countries to share military intelligence directly without using the US military as an intermediary.

Washington, a close ally of both countries, has long encouraged better relations between the two, even though many in South Korea are critical of the pact.

A spokesman for China's foreign ministry was critical of the deal, predicting it would increase "insecurity and instability in Northeast Asia."(continued)

[2ndDivisionVet]

There's a lot of bad blood there.

[Gay State Conservative]

Whatever might have happened 70-80 years ago (and a lot *did* happen) both countries are,today,advanced,civilized democratic countries.Given that they share a huge,powerful neighbor that is anything *but* civilized they'd be wise to cooperate with each other.

[DoodleDawg]

There's a lot of bad blood there.

But also a lot of uncertainty whether the U.S. will be there for them going forward. Their own self-interest appears to forcing them to work together more closely than before.

[chajin]

Both sides can see the writing (either hangul or kanji) on the wall: regardless of the past state crimes of Japan, they both will need each other, along with Taiwan and Viet Nam at least, to stand together against China. If they can bring the Russians in without getting the bear’s nose too far into the Asian tent, so much the better. OTOH, if Trump is smart and picks someone like Petraeus for under secdef for Asia, this can get even better, as we rebuild our own intel and join with the Japanese and SKs.

[RitchieAprile]

but will they do it gangnam style?

[catnipman]

President Trump’s plan for SE Asia is already working and he hasn’t even assumed office yet!