South Korea and Japan Agree on First-Ever Military Pact

• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-01-11 01:55
  [Image: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/news/110111_2p01_seoul.jpg]

  
  South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, left, and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa, shake hands before holding talks to bolster security ties between the two countries, at the Ministry of National Defense, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times
  
  

  Defense chiefs meet to discuss exchange of info on NK nukes
  
  By Lee Tae-hoon
  
  Top military officials of South Korea and Japan agreed to bolster security ties between their countries Monday, amid a growing call for a regional alliance framework from the United States.
  
  The discussion between Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa took place in Seoul at a time when U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is holding talks with his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie in Beijing to boost bilateral military exchanges.
  
  Defense officials say Kim and Kitazawa reached a consensus on further strengthening military ties between the two neighbors, which still have uneasy relations following Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.
  
  “The two defense chiefs shared the need for stronger bilateral military ties for the peace and security of Northeast Asia,” the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
  
  The statement also noted that the two military chiefs decided to push for the signing of the first-ever military pact between Seoul and Tokyo.
  
  The two neighboring countries will work on details of two separate agreements that will facilitate the sharing of military information and exchanging military goods and services, it said.
  
  “The two have decided to fine tune details of an Acquisition and a Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which calls for reciprocal provision of supplies, including food, fuel and necessary components in peace keeping, humanitarian aid and relief operations, as well as in search and rescue drills between the two countries’ navies,” the statement said.
  
  It also added that the two countries will have close consultations in a bid to seek an agreement on the exchange of military information. Such an agreement would allow South Korea and Japan to systematically swap intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear programs and weapons of mass destruction.
  
  During the talks, the two countries also decided to boost exchanges in military training programs and of senior defense officials in line with their efforts to establish a “mature partnership.”
  
  Seoul, however, still remains sensitive about deepening military relations due to lingering bitterness over Japan’s colonial past and a possible backlash from China.
  
  Japan has also been cautious about signing pacts as this may escalate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and trigger protests from China and North Korea over the nature and intention of its ongoing military buildup.
  
  The Japan Self-Defense Forces have been criticized for pushing the boundaries of self-defense and non-military activities.
  
  Despite this, Washington has been urging its two Asian allies to seek stronger military ties as security threats have grown in the region, following a series of North Korea’s armed provocations and Beijing’s reluctance to denounce Pyongyang.
  
  China, North Korea’s main regional ally, refused to condemn Pyongyang’s sinking of South Korea’s frigate Cheonan on March 26 last year, which took the lives of 46 sailors, and the North’s artillery bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea on Nov. 23 in 2010, which killed four people including two civilians.
  
  On Dec. 8, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed hope that U.S. military exercises with Seoul will include Tokyo’s participation to “cement our unified position on the threat posed by North Korea.”

  
  
  http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/116_79455.html
  
  note this is the first military treaty between the two countries since the end of Tokyo's rule over Korea.
• Lan wrote on 2011-01-11 02:10
  So...does this mean that South Koreans will stop hating the Japanese?
• Nikachu wrote on 2011-01-11 02:15
  Don't know if the hating will stop. But in my opinion, the pact may create a new peace between them. When I say "new peace", I mean that the hating will cease slowly.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-01-11 02:15
  So basically ifs WW3 happens.. we'll end up on their side, going against Russia and N. Korea for sure. How fun.
  ;epic sarcasm.
  
  Because who honestly builds up their army suddenly after being attacked for the sake of 'peace'? >>
  That's a bit too coincidental.
• Lan wrote on 2011-01-11 02:17

  Quote from Cynic;285618:

  So basically ifs WW3 happens.. we'll end up on their side, going against Russia and N. Korea for sure. How fun.
  ;epic sarcasm.
  
  Because who honestly builds up their army suddenly after being attacked for the sake of 'peace'? >>
  That's a bit too coincidental.

  
  
  Why would Russia team up with North Korea o_O.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-01-11 02:26
  North Korea = Communistic country.
  Russia = King of Communism, essentially.
  
  Although honestly, N. Korea is a lot worse than Russia used to be >>;
  Both countries also specialize in nukes, much like us.
  I am kind of hoping the Arms stance (use of nukes) between Russia and the USA sticks, though.
  I'd hate going against Russia or ANY country with a ton of nukes.
• Lan wrote on 2011-01-11 02:29

  Quote from Cynic;285638:

  North Korea = Communistic country.
  Russia = King of Communism, essentially.
  
  Although honestly, N. Korea is a lot worse than Russia used to be >>;
  Both countries also specialize in nukes, much like us.
  I am kind of hoping the Arms stance (use of nukes) between Russia and the USA sticks, though.
  I'd hate going against Russia or ANY country with a ton of nukes.

  
  
  o_O Russia is socialist not Communist and North Korea is a flat out dictatorship.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-01-11 02:36
  Socialist? Pfff. Communism has been a practice in Russia for centuries. They can call it socialism all they want, but actions speak louder than words.
  Dictatorship is so similar to Communism it isn't even funny.
  Anywho, regardless, I highly doubt Russia would side with the USA either way. Since if we DO end up with another war, it would be hard for it not to break out into a world war.
• Lan wrote on 2011-01-11 02:39

  Quote from Cynic;285654:

  Socialist? Pfff. Communism has been a practice in Russia for centuries. They can call it socialism all they want, but actions speak louder than words.
  Dictatorship is so similar to Communism it isn't even funny.
  Anywho, regardless, I highly doubt Russia would side with the USA either way. Since if we DO end up with another war, it would be hard for it not to break out into a world war.

  
  
  What the hell would be gained in another war? Really? If there was one then I don't doubt nukes will be launched producing end game. Despite what you may or may not believe Russians aren't war mongers and are smart enough to not want to die in a flaming inferno.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-01-11 02:44
  S'not really my personal opinion I like to go by. You have to remember just decades ago WW1 and WW2 occurred, in which they thought "Oh, well, this will go by quickly, so why not?" America and other countries are still just as greedy as they used to be. Although they may be smarter, I can tell you that most countries will still jump at the chance to fight others and potentially get their resources, land, etc. by winning.
  The fault of the human race is that they refuse to adapt to certain things. This world wouldn't have had so many wars and battles otherwise.
  
  I'm not saying that they're going to jump out into a war right off the bat. It might not even happen. My point is, IF someone starts a war, other countries might not be as slow to join in as most people think.
  Although, I do imagine they'll be a bit smarter about it this time. But with all the nukes and chemical weapons they have developed.. ugh. I really hope not.
• abc33kr wrote on 2011-01-11 02:58
  So we are just disregarding the cold war and how the entire world was scared the hell out of a nuclear apocalypse?
• paladin wrote on 2011-01-11 03:08
  No nobody wants to die flaty
  I do not think those Russian leaders enjoying the lime life want to run it by going to war with some powerful foreign nation
• Cucurbita wrote on 2011-01-11 05:35

  Quote from Lan;285623:

  Why would Russia team up with North Korea o_O.

  
  
  No.
  
  Looking at both the Korean and Japanese news, both countries are just about ready to storm in the government office and kill their leaders over this.
  
  Both the Korean and Japanese Prime Ministers were on VERY low approval ratings, and now they've hit rock bottom by doing this.
  
  I wouldn't be surprised if they got impeached, and then later shot.
  
  Citizens of both countries hate each other so much.
  
  I guarantee you that the only reason the two countries haven't gone at it with each other in the past 50 years is because of North Korea being a threat to them both. Same with China.
  
  If anything, North Korea is keeping everyone in Asia at bay, keeping peace in the east.
• Lan wrote on 2011-01-11 05:39

  Quote from Cucurbita;286086:

  No.
  
  Looking at both the Korean and Japanese news, both countries are just about ready to storm in the government office and kill their leaders over this.
  
  Both the Korean and Japanese Prime Ministers were on VERY low approval ratings, and now they've hit rock bottom by doing this.
  
  I wouldn't be surprised if they got impeached, and then later shot.
  
  Citizens of both countries hate each other so much.
  
  I guarantee you that the only reason the two countries haven't gone at it with each other in the past 50 years is because of North Korea being a threat to them both. Same with China.
  
  If anything, North Korea is keeping everyone in Asia at bay, keeping peace in the east.

  
  
  Why'd you quote that post?
• Cucurbita wrote on 2011-01-11 06:15

  Quote from Lan;286101:

  Why'd you quote that post?

  
  
  I think I quoted the wrong one.
  I meant to quote the one where you said "do koreans not hate japanese anymore" or something.
  
  And no, the Russians would never side with the NK.
  
  They know better.