South Korea and Japan have discussed the possibility of reaching an agreement on military logistics support, but Seoul stressed that the issue remains politically sensitive and requires special care, according to Reuters.

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said after meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that such an agreement requires the understanding and support of the citizens of both countries. countries.

The potential agreement, known as a mutual purchase and services agreement, would allow the two allies of the United States of America to share and provide each other with military logistics supplies, including fuel, food and ammunition.

However, South Korea has been wary of this step due to historical “wounds” related to Japanese colonial rule from 1910-1945, as well as opposition public against the possibility of Japanese troops operating on the Korean Peninsula.

In turn, Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that Koizumi and Ahn also discussed holding a joint humanitarian search-and-rescue exercise in June.

Such an activity would be held for the first time in about nine years.

Enhanced military cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo is seen as part of efforts to strengthen regional security in the Asia-Pacific, although historical issues continue to affect relations between the two countries.

Source: prizrenpost