LOC11:07
08:07 GMT
TOKYO, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday denounced South Korea's decision to end a bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact, saying such moves damage mutual trust.
"It is regrettable that South Korea is continuing to hurt relations of trust between the two countries," Abe told reporters."
Japan will urge South Korea to restore trust and keep promises between the two countries," Abe said.
The premier made the comment after South Korea announced its decision on Thursday not to renew the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan beyond its expiration in November, citing Tokyo's recent removal of Seoul from its list of trusted trade partners and restrictions on exports of high-tech materials to South Korea. Under the GSOMIA signed in 2016, the two countries shared information on the threat posed by North Korea and its missile and nuclear programs.
"We should avoid a negative impact on the trilateral cooperation with the US and South Korea in light of the current environment in Northeast Asia," Abe stressed, adding that Japan will continue to closely coordinate with the US to ensure regional peace and stability, as well as Japan's security.
Separately, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya urged Seoul to reconsider its withdrawal from the GSOMIA, saying the decision is a move that completely misreads the current regional security environment.
"North Korea's repeated missile tests threaten national security and cooperating between Japan and South Korea and with the US is crucial. We strongly urge them to make a wise decision," Iwaya told reporters. (end)
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