'Japan military can't enter peninsula without consent'

Defense Minister Han Min-koo, right, shakes hands with his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani ahead of their talks at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

Defense Minister Han Min-koo made it clear Tuesday that Japan must seek approval or consent from Seoul first for any military activities on or near South Korean territory.

During a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, Han delivered Seoul’s concerns about Japan’s move to expand its military role.

In response, Nakatani said Japan will seek approval from countries in accordance with international laws before sending its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to their territories, according to a joint press release.

Han also rejected Japan’s request to accelerate talks on signing bilateral pacts to share military information and boost defense exchanges, saying “The time is not yet ripe,” the ministry said.

Nakatani’s visit came at a sensitive time amid growing concerns here over the possible entrance of the Japan’s SDF on and near South Korean territory after Tokyo’s Diet recently passed a set of controversial security bills.

The laws allow the SDF to assist other countries in armed conflict in the name of the right to collective self-defense ― the use of force to support an ally under attack.

Regarding the passage, Nakatani stressed that the laws are an “exclusively defensive security policy.”

Han responded, saying “Japan’s activities should be conducted in a way to contribute to peace and stability in the Northeast Asian region including the Korean Peninsula.”

However, it appears that the two countries show differences about whether North Korea should be included in South Korean territory.

According to South Korea’s Constitution, the North is the territory of the Republic of Korea, but the two Koreas are viewed as separate countries under international law.

That means Tokyo could enter the North without the consent of Seoul in the event of a war under international law.

Regarding the controversy, the ministry said South Korea, Japan and the United States need to have consultation about whether they should regard the North as South Korean territory and whether the SDF is allowed to enter the North in the event of war.

The bilateral meeting came as Tokyo has constantly expressed its hope to explain the laws to Seoul.

It was the first visit of a Japanese defense chief to Seoul since January 2011.

The visit was also the first since the second term of the Shinzo Abe administration started in December 2012 amid strained relations between the neighbors over territorial and historical issues.

With regard to Nakatani’s proposals for the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Military Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), Han was lukewarm, according to the officials, apparently wary of public resistance, which stems from the bitter memory of Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule and the country’s wrongdoings, including the Japanese soldiers’ use of Korean sex slaves during the war.

When the Japanese minister asked Han to sign the agreements at the 14th Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, which took place in Singapore in May, the latter also told the former that conditions need to be created first to begin such a discussion.

In 2012, the two countries were close to signing the GSOMIA but it fell through at the last minute due to intense public criticism of the government’s secretive handling of negotiations.

The ACSA allows for logistical cooperation when both are engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and peacekeeping operations.

The ministry has held the position that Tokyo should show a responsible attitude regarding historical issues first before discussions about the agreements take place.

During the meeting, the two defense ministers also exchanged their views on nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and other security issues.

The two also agreed that ROK military bands will attend a music festival arranged by Japan’s SDF in November.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye