Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

 

 

Defense Minister Han Min-koo demanded prospective attitude for past history
Korea-U.S.-Japan ministers agree to enhance cooperation

against North Korean threats and provocation

 

Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo attended the 14th Asia Security Summit, called the Shangri-La Dialogue, from May 29 to 31 and obtained various military diplomatic results. He agreed on the principle of the necessity of the Korean government’s request and consent when Japan self-defense forces claim the collective defense right related to the Korean Peninsula, and received a public apology for the accidental delivery of anthrax to the Osan base from the U.S.

 

The minister held the Korea-Japan defense ministerial talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on May 30, the first in four years and four months, and they agreed to continue working level consultation for detailed discussion after the agreement of the principle.

 

Minister Han emphasized, “As Japan exerts a collective self-defense right, which has an effect on the security of the Korean Peninsula and our national interest, it cannot be done without our request and/or consent.”

 

And the Japanese minister said, “It is the Japanese government’s policy that we should meet with approval of the relevant country whenever the Japan self-defense forces are within another nation’s territory according to the international law, and this applies to Korea as well.”

 

For Minister Nakatani’s recent mention about a possible attack against North Korea’s missile base, Minister Han urged the necessity of prior consultation and agreement even for an attack against North Korea’s missile base, saying North Korea is also Korean territory.

 

Moreover, he added, “In time of emergency, matters related to deployment to Korea of U.S. forces in Japan or additional U.S. soldiers are an issue discussed and decided between Korea and the U.S. in accordance with Korea-U.S. combined defense system and the mutual defense treaty.”

 

Both ministers believe that further discussion is needed to address each country’s concerns such as military action according to Japan self-defense forces’ collective self-defense right.

 

During the talks, Minister Han also encouraged Japan’s forward-looking attitude regarding past history.

 

He said, “National defensive exchange and cooperation between both countries are well-established, but these do not function properly because of the history matters. We have to face the history and have wisdom, courage and effort to advance the relationship toward the future.”

 

The Japanese minister proposed entering into Acquisition Cross Service Agreements (ACSA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Korea and Japan; however, Minister Han conveyed a theoretical position, saying conditions should be set sufficiently by looking back the previous consultation process.

 

And for the Japanese minister’s suggestion to have Korea-Japan defense ministerial talks, he only said that he would give the suggestion careful consideration.

 

After the Korea-Japan talks, Minister Han hosted Korea-U.S.-Japan defense ministerial talks with Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani and U.S. Defense Minister Ashton Carter. During the trialogue, they evaluated the guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation and reconfirmed that these guidelines should be performed in regard to complying with international law, including respect for a third country’s sovereignty as well as contributing to peace and stability in the region.

 

They had an in-depth evaluation of North Korean threats and agreed to closely cooperate with international society to restrain provocations.

 

Furthermore, through the information sharing treaty, they agreed on the view that the three nations can enhance mutual understanding and cooperation against North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats.

 

Korea-U.S. defense ministerial talks followed, and both ministers agreed upon no acceptance of any threats or provocation from North Korea, saying that recent provocative actions including shooting test of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) underwater is a serious threat that hinders the peace and stability of the entire Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the world.

 

After his trip to Vietnam and Singapore including the 3-day Shangri-La Dialogue, Minister Han departed Singapore on the night of May 31 and returned to Korea at dawn on June 1.

 

By Seok-Jong, Lee < seokjong@dema.mil.kr >
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