A file picture on Defense Minister Han Min-koo speaking in parliament. [Yonhap News Photo]
Opposition parties vowed Monday to push for the resignation and impeachment of Defense Minister Han Min-koo if he signs an information-sharing military accord between South Korean and Japan.
The opposition warning came ahead of a ceremony in Tokyo to sign the General Security of Military Information Agreement between Japan and South Korea.
The two nations initiated the pact in 2012, but Seoul scrapped it due to strong protests by opposition parties and civic groups. The two nations resumed negotiations this year, citing high tensions prompted by North Korea's frequent missile and nuclear tests.
Opposition parties insisted the pact could escalate tension in and around the Korean Peninsula while expressing concern about the militaristic tone of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
South Korea's defense ministry insisted the pact would help Seoul and Tokyo share extensive military information on North Korea. Especially, Seoul would gain intelligence collected by Japan's surveillance satellites and Aegis-equipped destroyers.
"We are pushing for information-sharing with Japan to effectively cope with ever-growing threats from North Korean missiles and nuclear weapons," ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun told reporters Monday. Ministry data showed that Japan is better than South Korea in collecting information on North Korea.
Ties between Seoul and Tokyo have soured due to territorial and historical disputes. Many South Koreans still harbor deep resentment against Japan over its 1910-45 colonial rule, and Seoul wants Tokyo to make a sincere apology and make amends for past wrongdoings.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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