South Korea, Japan defence officials reaffirm cooperation amid spy agency snub
· Security · South Korea · Japan
Senior defense officials of South Korea and Japan held talks in Tokyo and reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation to tackle North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, Seoul's defense ministry said Friday. Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee met with his Japanese counterpart, Atsushi Ando, during a two-day visit. The talks come amid concerns over a recent snub of Seoul's spy agency during a trilateral meeting, which analysts say raises US alliance concerns in South Korea. A senior US official said Washington expects South Korea to 'uphold' alliance standards.
Why it matters：Trilateral security cooperation is central to deterring North Korea, and any friction risks weakening the alliance.
Key points
- Lee Doo-hee met Atsushi Ando in Tokyo.
- They reaffirmed cooperation against North Korean threats.
- A US official said Seoul should uphold alliance standards.
Sources (original reporting)
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