일본, 또 한국에 "군수물자 나누자"...왜？ / YTN

[Anchor] Recently, Japan has been repeatedly demanding that the South Korean government conclude a military supply agreement, known as ACSA. Discussions stalled in 2012 after reaching the brink of signing, so what is the reason for suddenly bringing up the topic again now? Tokyo correspondent Lee Seung-bae investigated. [Reporter] Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek at the Asia Security Conference held in Singapore and brought up the issue of South Korea-Japan military support. This issue was also raised last month when vice-ministers of foreign affairs and defense held a 2+2 meeting in Korea, and it was mentioned again in an official setting less than a month later. [Shinjiro Koizumi / Japanese Defense Minister (30th): "This is not merely for the sake of friendship; considering the current grave security environment, it is a necessary step. Therefore, I believe we must not forget the fact that we are meeting so closely."] The correct term is ACSA, commonly referred to as "Axa," and it is an agreement between nations to exchange military supplies. The core element is logistical support for feeding, moving, and maintaining troops in the rear. This includes fuel, water, food, clothing, and medical services; however, ammunition can also be traded. Lethal weapons such as fighter jets or missiles cannot be exchanged. Since signing the GSOMIA agreement with South Korea 10 years ago to exchange intelligence, Japan has recently been strongly pushing for the conclusion of an ACSA. Although the agreement is limited to rear-area support, many analysts believe that Japan's efforts to engage with South Korea are ultimately aimed at containing China. Local interpretations suggest that a significant factor is the recent change in the United States' attitude toward its allies. [Hideki Okuzono / Professor, Faculty of International Relations, Shizuoka Prefectural University: Until now, the central axis of trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan was the United States.] With the second Trump administration taking office, the concept of alliances is being viewed too blatantly lightly, and the U.S. is conducting transactions (even with China) based solely on its own national interests... While there are opinions that strategic material cooperation is not necessarily a bad thing, South Korea is inevitably sensitive to military cooperation with Japan due to public sentiment. Discussions for concluding AXA took place during the Lee Myung-bak administration in 2012, but the deal fell through just before the signing. More than a decade has passed since then, yet there has been little progress. [Kim Yeol-soo / Head of Security Strategy Division, Korea Institute for Military Affairs: If AXA is concluded, Japanese warships or transport aircraft could use South Korean airports or ports. Consequently, there is public sentiment regarding this. Ultimately, isn't this providing a foothold for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to enter South Korea...?] It is reported that Defense Minister Koizumi is coordinating a meeting with the Minister of National Defense once again, with plans to travel to South Korea in person around the end of this month. Experts believe that as Korea-Japan relations are better than ever, Japan is highly likely to continue raising the issue of musicians as a major agenda item. This is Lee Seung-bae from YTN in Tokyo. Video Editing: Saito Design: Ji Gyeong-yun YTN Lee Seung-bae ([email protected]) ※ 'Your tip becomes news' [KakaoTalk] Search for YTN and add the channel [Phone] 02-398-8585 [Email] [email protected] ▶ Original Article: https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_202606... ▶ Send a Tip: https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php ▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel: http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited