美국무부 "한일군사정보협정 연장 전적 지지…비핵화 중요수단"<br /><br />With South Korea and Japan both being U.S. allies, their militaries have been sharing information under a three-year-old deal which will soon need to be renewed.<br />And Washington reportedly wants the two countries to extend the deal.<br />Our Kim Ji-yeon has more.<br />The U.S. State Department has reportedly said it fully supports South Korea and Japan extending their agreement on sharing military intelligence.<br />That deal was signed in 2016, and is known as the General Security of Military Information Agreement or GSOMIA .<br />According to Voice of America, an official at the State Department spokesperson's office said Friday by e-mail that GSOMIA is an important part of achieving the final, fully, verified denuclearization of North Korea... as well as maintaining peace and prosperity in Asia.<br />The official also said that GSOMIA shows the maturity of South Korea and Japan's security relationship... and helps their joint efforts with the U.S. on denuclearization.<br />But speculations have been raised that South Korea could review whether to renew GSOMIA or let it expire.<br />Opposition lawmaker Shim Sang-jung, with the minor Justice Party, quoted National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong... following Thursday's meeting between President Moon Jae-in and party leaders at the Blue House... that the government has a position to maintain GSOMIA... but that it can be reconsidered in accordance with relevant situations..<br />Seoul's defense ministry, meanwhile, said Friday... that in principle, it'll maintain the agreement, but it's contemplating an array of issues including the agreement's effectiveness.<br />It also added that revoking GSOMIA would be a step too far.<br />The deadline to notify Japan whether it'll terminate the agreement is August 24th.<br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.<br />
