Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Discussion of a Korea-Japan General Security Of Military Information Agreement to be Resumed After Four Years

The government recently announced that it would be resuming the discussion of the Korea-Japan General Security Of Military Information Agreement, which was stopped in 2012.

This is based on the fact that security circumstances around the Korean Peninsula are continuously becoming more severe, as North Korea raises nuclear and missile threats, including through its two nuclear tests and 20 test firings of ballistic missiles this year.

A MND official said, “There is a growing need to improve the information cooperation system between the South and Japan in addition to the conventional Korea-U.S.-Japan information cooperation in order to more effectively respond to the North’s nuclear and missile threats, which have been growing.”

The General Security of Military Information Agreement is a basic framework for determining how to exchange information with the countries directly involved how to protect and manage the exchanged information, and procedures for destruction of such information, etc. So far, Korea have made the General Security of Military Information Agreement or other agreements with 32 countries around the world and one international organization. In 2001, Korea entered into an agreement with Russia. Korean government has been requesting Japan enter the General Security of Military Information Agreement with us since the end of the 1980s, and in 2010, both countries started preparations for this based on a mutual consensus. However, this effort was stopped just before the conclusion of the agreement in 2012 due to some procedural problems. And as North Korea enhances its nuclear and missile threats, Japan has disclosed its need for bilateral consultation which led to the current situation.

Korean government also had several discussions among relevant departments in regard of the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan, and it has finally decided to resume the discussion through the National Security Council (NSC).

An MND official said, “The more our information and intelligence comes from diverse sources, the more valuable quality information can be produced. Japan already has many information assets such as an information gathering satellite and AEGIS, ground-based radar, early warning aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft, etc. so we are expecting to see more practical benefits from the General Security of Military Information Agreement.”

Regarding some concerns expressed on the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement, The official emphasized, “Entering into this type of agreement dose not mean all information is provided, without any restriction. Based thoroughly on principles of reciprocity, we will exchange selected information after a close review per each case.“ Also, he added, “The MND is sticking to its original position of considering that security issues should be separated from historical or political ones.”

While expectations are that negotiations will be short as a draft was already made in 2012, the MND underlined its aim of transparently carrying out the negotiation by going through the normal process with the support and cooperation of the people, considering Korea's special relationship with Japan and the precedent of being stopped due to issues during the process of promotion in the past.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >
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