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S. Korea, Japan, US sign intel-sharing pact

December 26, 2014

South Korea, the US and Japan have agreed to sign a rare trilateral intelligence-sharing pact. The aim of the alliance is to better cope with North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats.

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North Korea missile test
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Sinmun

According to South Korea's defense ministry, the deal will be signed by the South Korean vice defense minister and his US and Japanese counterparts on Monday.

"This will be effective in deterring provocations from North Korea, and we hope it will help the three nations respond swiftly to the North's nuclear and missile threats," a South Korean defense ministry spokesman told AFP news agency.

Historic distrust

The US currently has separate, bilateral intelligence-sharing agreements with South Korea and Japan, both of which currently host tens of thousands of American troops.

However, until now Seoul and Tokyo haven't had such bilateral pacts due to various disputes linked to Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. Relations between the two countries are currently at their lowest ebb for years.

Bearing this long-held distrust in mind, South Korea will not pass military information directly to Japan as part of the pact. Instead, the US will act as an intermediary between the two.

Growing fears

In recent years, fears have grown over North Korea's provocations, particularly since its third nuclear test in February 2013.

South Korean officials have said the North is believed to have made progress in its goal of manufacturing nuclear warheads, which would be small and light enough to be placed on a missile capable of reaching the US.

Most recently, North Korea has threatened the US and South Korea with nuclear strikes following a United Nations resolution on its human rights abuses, as well as Sony Pictures' satirical comedy "The Interview," which depicts a plot to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Hundreds of American cinemas and various online streaming services began screening the film on Thursday, following its initial canceled release due to threats and a cyberattack alleged to be carried out by North Korea.

ksb/tj (AP, AFP)