Gov’t, Japan Seek Pact on Protecting Military Secrets

The Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it is considering signing an agreement with Japan on the protection of military secrets.

“We are conducting a working-level study on the need and procedures for such an agreement at Japan`s request,” a ministry official said.

Seoul has agreements or memorandums of understanding on protection of military secrets with 21 countries, including the U.S. and Russia. Washington and Tokyo also have a similar accord.

The Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun also reported Tuesday that Seoul and Tokyo are seeking an agreement on the protection of military intelligence that would set comprehensive rules for the protection and exchange of such secrets.

A Defense Ministry official said, however, that Seoul is merely at the stage of collecting data and has yet to move on to holding talks with Tokyo. He also denied news reports saying South Korea is seeking the agreement with Japan given the volatile situation in North Korea or threats from China.

“No decision has been made on whether Seoul will seek a government-to-government agreement or a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the defense ministries of both countries,” the official added.

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