Defense chiefs of Korea, Japan agree on defense cooperation based on 'mutual understanding'
Summary
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi agreed Tuesday on the need for bilateral defense cooperation grounded in mutual understanding. The two sides also agreed on the importance of trilateral cooperation with the United States for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The talks came after relations had soured over Koizumi’s visit to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo last month. Koizumi also did not attend the annual Seoul Defense Dialogue earlier this month.
Key Facts
- Ahn spoke with Koizumi by phone and held a video call with him earlier in the day.
- Ahn expressed condolences over the earthquake in Japan’s southern Kumamoto Prefecture in late July.
- The ministry said the two sides shared a consensus on bilateral and trilateral cooperation with the United States.
- Koizumi’s visit to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo last month drew criticism from Seoul.
- Koizumi skipped the annual Seoul Defense Dialogue earlier this month, and Japan sent its vice defense minister instead.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, left, speaks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi over a video call, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of Defense
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back spoke with his Japanese counterpart on the phone Tuesday and shared an understanding on the need for bilateral defense cooperation grounded in mutual understanding, Seoul's defense ministry said.
Ahn held a video call with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi earlier in the day, where he reaffirmed the trust built between the two nations during his tenure, according to the ministry.
He also expressed condolences over the recent earthquake in Japan's southern Kumamoto Prefecture in late July.
The two sides shared a consensus on the importance of bilateral as well as trilateral cooperation with the United States, for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region.
The talks come as the relations between the defense officials have soured recently after Koizumi visited a controversial war shrine in Tokyo last month, a move that drew criticism from Seoul.
The Japanese defense chief did not attend the annual Seoul Defense Dialogue earlier this month, with Japan's vice defense minister attending in his place.
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