By Yoon Sojung

About six hours before the termination of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan, the government on Nov. 22 said it conditionally suspended its withdrawal from the accord.

Kim You-geun, secretariat of the National Security Council, on Nov. 22 told a media briefing at Chunchugwan Press Center of Cheong Wa Dae, "Under the condition that our government can end the GSOMIA’s effectuation at any time, we decided to halt our decision made in an earlier announcement to terminate the agreement on Aug. 23, and the Japanese government expressed its understanding."

"Both the Korean and Japanese governments agreed to announce at the same time what measures to take to resolve pending bilateral issues."

Kim added, "While bilateral policy dialogue on export management is being held in a normal manner, Seoul will tentatively halt its petition procedures against Japan at the (World Trade Organization) on the export restrictions Tokyo imposed on three items to Korea."

 

The U.S. Congress quickly hailed Korea's decision not to scrap the bilateral accord.

Rep. Eliot Engel (Democrat-New York), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Nov. 22 said, "I commend President Moon Jae-in on his decision to continue the military information-sharing pact between Seoul and Tokyo."

"This decision took courageous leadership from both (Japanese) Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe and President Moon, and I appreciate the efforts of both governments to preserve this important agreement that benefits our shared security in Northeast Asia."

Sen. Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, welcomed the decision through Twitter.

Dubbing Korea's decision "great news," Menendez said, "President Moon and Korea made a wise and judicious decision that greatly benefits our alliances and bilateral cooperation."

arete@korea.kr