Japan, S. Korea to hold 1st defense meeting in 2.5 years

TOKYO, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- Senior defense officials from Japan and South Korea will hold a meeting in Seoul Wednesday, first time in nearly two and a half years, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.
The two countries had held similar talks since 1994, but there have been no such meetings since March 2013 due to deterioration in Japan-South Korea relations over territorial and historical issues.
The ministry did not disclose further details of the upcoming working-level meeting.
However, according to public broadcaster NHK, it may cover regional issues such as North Korea's nuclear and missile development program. The officials are also plan to discuss a pact to share classified security information, NHK said. The two nations gave up on signing the pact in 2012 due to public opposition in South Korea. Japanese officials are also expected to seek understanding from South Korea over a series of security bills that are currently under deliberation in parliament. (end) mk.gta