Korea, Japan expected to sign GSOMIA this month

Korea and Japan are expected to sign a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) as early as this month, as the two countries decided to hold its second working level talks Wednesday.

The Defense Ministry of Korea said Tuesday, "Korea and Japan will hold the second GSOMIA talks at the ministry building in Seoul on Wednesday." The ministry had announced on Oct. 27 that it would resume talks on GSOMIA, which had been cancelled just before signing in June 2012. Since then, the government has been promoting the process at an unprecedented speed. "Since the draft has been mostly completed in 2012, there is high possibility that the working level talks can finalize with the second stage talks given that there are no conflicting opinions," a military source said. "It will not take long to sign GSOMIA."

If the draft is completed at the second stage talks, Korea and Japan will handle it at the parliament meeting and cabinet meeting, respectively. It will officially take effect after the signing ceremony.

Some critics say the speedy process is to take advantage of the public paying keen attention to the Choi Soon-sil scandal. While historical issues such as the comfort women issue yet to be solved and the public still opposing, the military wants to solve the issue before the prime minister whom the opposition parties will recommend can raise the issue on GSOMIA.

At the National Assembly's Defense Committee meeting, Rep. Kim Byung-ki of the main opposition Minjoo Party asked Defense Minister Han Min-koo, "Is there a reason to rush when the country is in a critical situation and most of the public is opposing to a bilateral GSOMIA?" Minister Han said, "It is coincidental, but it is being promoted strictly for military needs," stressing that it is to prepare for North Korea's nuclear threats.

Hyo-Ju Son hjson@donga.com