South Korea signs controversial intelligence pact with Japan

South Korea and Japan have signed a military intelligence-sharing deal despite widespread opposition from the South Korean public.

Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan’s ambassador to Seoul, Yasumasa Nagamine, in the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Wednesday.

The purpose of the pact is to directly share sensitive information on the threat from North Korea’s missile and nuclear activities, the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement on the same day.

“Since we can now utilize Japan’s intelligence capability to effectively deal with North Korea’s escalating nuclear and missile threats, it will enhance our security interests,” the ministry said in the statement.

North Korea has been testing different types of military hardware and has conducted two nuclear tests and more than a dozen missile launches this year.

The signing of the controversial deal came despite opposition from some South Korean political parties and a large section of the public, who remain dismayed to see the government sign a pact with Japan, which notoriously ruled over Korea from 1910 until the end of World War Two in 1945.

A survey by Gallup Korea on Friday showed that more than half of those questioned, 59 percent, were against the military intelligence deal between the Seoul and its former colonizer.

Seoul and Tokyo had until now been exchanging data gathered on North Korea via Washington, which acted as an intermediary coordinator between the two.

The military deal between Seoul and Tokyo had originally been expected in 2012, but the Blue House backtracked at the 11th hour in response to public outcry.

The South Korean government is already under pressure over a scandal that involves a close associate of President Park Geun-hye.

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