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WORLD NEWS Saturday 23 November 2019

In reversal, Seoul to keep Japan military intelligence pact

By KIM TONG-HYUNG a delicate time for the alli-
Associated Press ance between the United
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — States and South Korea.
In a major policy reversal, The two countries have
South Korea said Friday it struggled to deal with North
has decided to continue Korea's nuclear threat
a 2016 military intelligence- while squabbling over de-
sharing agreement with Ja- fense costs. There's also
pan that it previously said concern that Trump, after
it would terminate amid already suspending major
ongoing tensions over war- U.S.-South Korean military
time history and trade. exercises he described as
The announcement, made "ridiculous and expensive,"
just six hours before the may seek to reduce the
agreement was to expire, U.S. military presence in
followed a strong U.S. push South Korea to accommo-
to save the pact, which has date a deal with North Ko-
been a major symbol of the rean leader Kim Jong Un.
countries' three-way secu- South Korea's August dec-
rity cooperation in the face laration that it would ter-
of North Korea's nuclear minate the General Secu-
threat and China's grow- rity of Military Intelligence
ing influence. The office Kim You-geun, deputy director of South Korea's presidential national security office, speaks at the Agreement, or GSOMIA,
of South Korean President presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. with Japan came shortly
Moon Jae-in said it decid- Associated Press after Tokyo removed its
ed to suspend the effect with Tokyo proceed. dispute over the export had anticipated that the neighbor from a "white list"
of the three months' notice Kim also said South Korea controls. The military agree- Moon government would of countries receiving pref-
it gave in August to termi- decided to halt a com- ment, which Japan had let the agreement expire, erential treatment in trade.
nate the agreement after plaint it filed with the World sought to maintain, is auto- saying there was no clear South Korea saw Tokyo's
Tokyo agreed to reciprocal Trade Organization over matically extended every way for Seoul to renew it move, which followed
measures. Japan's tightened controls year unless either country without losing face. strengthened controls on
But Kim You-geun, deputy on exports of key chemicals notifies the other 90 days Some saw the Trump ad- technology exports to
director of South Korea's that South Korean compa- in advance of its intention ministration's public de- South Korean chip and
presidential national secu- nies use to make computer to terminate it, a deadline mands for South Korea to display manufacturers, as
rity office, said the move chips and displays. that fell in August. reverse the key diplomatic retaliation over political
was based on the premise The Japanese government Washington had no imme- decision as a profound lack disputes stemming from
that it could end the ar- said it has agreed to re- diate reaction to Seoul's of respect for an ally. Japan's use of Koreans for
rangement at any time de- sume discussions with South announcement. The squabble over the forced labor before the
pending on how relations Korea on resolving their Most South Korean analysts Seoul-Tokyo pact came at end of World War II. q

In reversal, Seoul to keep Japan military intelligence pact

By KIM TONG-HYUNG countries' three-way secu- that it could end the ar-
Associated Press rity cooperation in the face rangement at any time de-
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — of North Korea's nuclear pending on how relations
In a major policy reversal, threat and China's growing with Tokyo proceed.
South Korea said Friday it influence. The Japanese government
has decided to continue The office of South Korean said it has agreed to re-
a 2016 military intelligence- President Moon Jae-in said sume discussions with South
sharing agreement with Ja- it decided to suspend the Korea on resolving their
pan that it previously said effect of the three months' dispute over the export
it would terminate amid notice it gave in August to controls. The military agree-
ongoing tensions over war- terminate the agreement ment, which Japan had
time history and trade. after Tokyo agreed to re- sought to maintain, is auto-
The announcement, made ciprocal measures. matically extended every
just six hours before the But Kim You-geun, deputy year unless either country
agreement was to expire, director of South Korea's notifies the other 90 days Kim You-geun, deputy director of South Korea's presidential
followed a strong U.S. push presidential national secu- in advance of its intention national security office, speaks at the presidential Blue House in
to save the pact, which has rity office, said the move to terminate it, a deadline Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 22, 2019.
been a major symbol of the was based on the premise that fell in August.q Associated Press