Refuting Japanese Media Claims, Korean Official: South Korea Does Not Consider Signing the Mutual Military Supply Support Agreement with Japan

[Global Times Report, Reporter Ren Yiran] A South Korean defense official stated on the 8th that South Korea is not considering signing the "Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement" (ACSA) with Japan and refuted reports from Japanese media. According to South Korea's MBC TV, some Japanese media claimed that Japan is seeking to promote the conclusion of this agreement with South Korea.

According to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, after the South Korea-Japan vice-ministerial level diplomatic and defense "2+2" dialogue held in Seoul on the 7th, Japan hopes to make progress on the ACSA in future negotiations with South Korea. South Korean media introduced that this is a logistics support agreement for equipment and supplies, initially promoted by the United States to its allies, allowing the contracting parties to share logistics support services such as food, fuel, and ammunition under specific circumstances. Tokyo is seeking to sign a similar agreement with South Korea to strengthen bilateral military coordination. MBC TV cited reports from the Yomiuri Shimbun stating that the Japanese government hopes to use this to enhance military cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, thereby increasing deterrence against neighboring countries.

According to the Korean News Agency, a South Korean defense official on the 8th distanced itself from the reports by Japanese media, clearly stating, "We are not considering signing the ACSA between South Korea and Japan."

MBC TV recalled that South Korea planned to sign a "Military Information Protection Agreement" with Japan during the Lee Myung-bak administration in 2012, but due to strong domestic opposition in South Korea, the signing ceremony was urgently called off about 50 minutes before it was to take place, and the signing of the ACSA was also shelved. Ultimately, South Korea and Japan signed the "Military Information Protection Agreement" in 2016, but the South Korean government has still not agreed to sign the ACSA.

The Korean News Agency stated that considering the sentiments of the South Korean public, caution must be maintained in advancing South Korea-Japan security cooperation. South Korea is concerned that this agreement could provide the Japanese Self-Defense Forces with an opportunity to conduct military operations on the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, the thorny historical issues left over from Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 are also considered one of the reasons for South Korea's cautious attitude.