To maintain GSOMIA, the Japanese side needs to make a compromise.

To maintain GSOMIA, it is necessary to make a compromise on the Japanese side.

Korea's defense minister Jeon Kyung-Doo said that the government of Japan and Korea is in a good direction because there is still time left, We would like to hold GSOMIA after discussions, ”and called for a new approach to Japan, which strengthened export controls for South Korea.

US Secretary of Defense Esper and South Korean defense minister Jeon Kyung-Doo met in Seoul on the 15th. After the meeting, they attended a joint press conference.

In this regard, Esperan said that “Japan-Korea Korea will share confidential information effectively and in a timely manner” regarding the “GSOMIA” Japan-Korea Military Information Comprehensive Protection Agreement, which will expire on the 23rd of this month. "And only China and North Korea will benefit from the friction between Japan and Korea," he clarified that he asked Korea to review the decision to discard GSOMIA.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Chung said, “I have stressed the importance of GSOMIA. Since there is still time left, the governments of Japan and Korea should discuss in a good direction and maintain GSOMIA. ”Is our idea,” and expressed the idea that GSOMIA should be maintained.

However, he said, “The Korean government has decided to abandon it as a result of deliberation in response to Japan's strengthening of export controls,” reemphasizing the recognition that the Japanese side has to make a compromise to maintain GSOMIA. .

Esper Defense Secretary “always flexibly”

Secretary Esper said at a conference that the North and South Korea ’s joint military drills that North Korea is seeking to cancel: “Ensuring that the US and Korean troops are ready to deter enemies and defeat them if necessary. Was the purpose and shared the idea with Defense Minister Chung, ”emphasizing the significance of the training.

On the other hand, he said, “It must always be flexible so that no doors that enable diplomatic progress can be closed,” and in the near future to support US-North Korea diplomatic negotiations. I reaffirmed that there is a possibility of changing the plan for the training that will be conducted.