Posted on 01/04/2011 7:10:59 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
01-04-2011 17:14
Seoul, Tokyo seek 1st military pact
Defense chiefs to hold meeting in Seoul Jan. 10-11
By Lee Tae-hoon
South Korea is considering signing its first military agreement with Japan by the end of this year at the earliest as part of efforts to boost bilateral military ties, a senior official at the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday on condition of anonymity.
The official said that Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa will discuss the matter in a meeting, scheduled to be held in Seoul on Jan. 10 and 11.
However, he cautioned that the two countries may decide not to push ahead with the plan, if it triggers a public backlash or faces strong resistance from politicians in the process of fine-tuning the details.
Seoul is reportedly seeking to sign the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
If the GSOMIA is signed, it will allow South Korea and Japan to systematically exchange intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear programs and weapons of mass destruction, another official said, also anonymously.
“The pact, if signed, will open a new chapter in the development of military relations between South Korea and Japan,” he said.
ACSA stipulates obligations on sharing military supplies and services such as food, fuel and transportation.
The defense ministry, however, refuted the claim, saying little progress has been made regarding the sensitive issue between the two countries and no deadline has been set for such an agreement.
Critics say the move could be premature, given the animosity that South Koreans still have against a nation that brutally suppressed them during colonial rule from 1910-45.
The ministry also denied a news report that Seoul is working with Tokyo on a joint declaration calling for strengthening military cooperation.
Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported the two countries were preparing the declaration with the aim of signing it when President Lee Myung-bak visits Japan in the first half of this year.
“We have not considered or discussed any new declaration with Japan,” a government official said. He also denied that President Lee plans to visit Japan before June this year, saying no decision had been made yet.
A series of historic and territorial disputes stemming from the colonial rule have plagued relations between the two countries for decades, though they are key trading partners.
During the two-day talks early next week, the two top defense officials are expected to discuss North Korea’s military provocations and bilateral cooperation on military supplies and services.
P!
You can say what you want about Barney Frank but when he starts talking about blowing no one should dispute his expertise.
Wow!
Things are REALLY bad if the South Koreans are looking at a pact with the Japanese. I thought that grudge would never die.
My first thought, too.
It'd be like Ireland signing a mutual defense pact with England.
2) This is an agreement to have a complete nuclear arsenal in place in both countries by noon tomorrow.
Except more so. Brits didn’t draft Irish women for sex slaves.
Leni
One of things I advocate is handing the South Koreans the keys to a nuclear arsenal, then packing up and going home.
The South Korean army is competent and well equipped. All they need is a competent, strong willed government. If they don’t have one, well, we know exactly how that feels...
Leni
[ Wow!
Things are REALLY bad if the South Koreans are looking at a pact with the Japanese. I thought that grudge would never die. ]
Well they figure they cannot rely on us for long and want to get a jump on making sure they survive the rise of china somewhat intact.
Thanks Bammy...
One of the few good consequences of this horrible administration is that Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia (among others) are openly allying against China.
Well, believe it or not tensions are cooling very quickly. Nothing seemed to happen after the World Cup, but Korean and Japanese cultures are slowly beginning to intertwine and much quicker than Sino-Japanese relations.
Korean food is everywhere, Korean dramas are on many a television set, and many Korean singers aim at making it big in Japan. Japan is already pretty copacetic with Korea, but Korea has a way to go.
They should have agreements on interchangeable parts, systems training, communications, supply chain management, even basing. Taiwan, Australia, and the Phillipines should get in on it too, maybe even Vietnam. Together, they could make a Chinese military adventure a very nasty option.
Not in the last hundred years or so anyway.
Wow! Just what Beijing wants to see./S Maybe this will finally get the Red Mandarin’s attention.
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