By Kim Hyelin and Kim Minji

Cheong Wa Dae, brushing off U.S. fears over Korea's termination of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan, on Aug. 23 said the scrapping of the accord will lead to a stronger Korea-U.S. alliance.

"We had frequent communication with the U.S. on reviewing issues with GSOMIA. In particular, the national security councils of both countries conducted close cooperation," said Kim Hyun-chong, deputy director of the National Security Office under Cheong Wa Dae, in a news briefing. "The government will make efforts so that our decision can develop Korea-U.S. relations into an even stronger alliance."

"If we intensify our security capacity with confidence and leadership, it will coincide with the U.S. hope that neighboring countries raise their contributions to security and ultimately lead to a stronger Korea-U.S. alliance." 

A day earlier, the U.S. Defense Department expressed "strong concern" and "disappointment" through comments made by Pentagon spokesman Dave Eastburn.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said, "We're disappointed to see the decision the South Koreans made about that information-sharing agreement."

On the lack of military information exchanges in security with Japan, Kim said that through the Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement signed in December 2014 by Korea, the U.S. and Japan, the three countries will actively share classified information with each other with Washington serving as the intermediary.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr