(Corrects additional reporting credit to Tokyo, not Seoul)
SINGAPORE - South Korea and Japan discussed the potential for a military-logistics support agreement on Sunday, South Korea's defence minister said, but Seoul is approaching the proposal carefully because of political sensitivities at home.
After meeting his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Shangri-La Dialogue for regional defence officials in Singapore, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters that any such pact would require convincing the public in both countries and that South Korea should proceed with caution.
Ahn's remarks referred to what is described as a possible acquisition and cross-servicing agreement. Under that type of arrangement, neighbouring U.S. allies would be able to provide and procure military logistics from one another - items such as fuel, food and ammunition - to support operations and sustainment.
The Seoul government has maintained a cautious stance toward the idea. Ahn pointed to lingering public grievances stemming from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule and noted resistance among the South Korean public to the prospect of Japanese troops operating on the Korean Peninsula as central factors shaping Seoul's posture.
Requests for comment to Japan's Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office were not answered outside business hours, according to the reporting.
Context and implications
While the two defence ministers engaged in discussions at the Singapore forum, South Korea's comments underscore that any move toward a formal logistics-sharing mechanism remains politically sensitive. The proposal discussed - an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement - would create practical channels for sharing supplies and services between the two neighbours, but it must first navigate public opinion and historical grievances.
What was confirmed
- Officials from South Korea and Japan discussed a possible military-logistics support agreement at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
- Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Seoul remains cautious and emphasized the need to persuade citizens in both countries.
- The agreement under discussion is an acquisition and cross-servicing arrangement that would cover logistics items such as fuel, food and ammunition.
The discussion is ongoing, and Seoul's public sensitivities will be a major factor in whether the two countries advance toward a formal pact.