Japan defense chief plans South Korea visit amid security shift
· UPIApril 30 (Asia Today) -- Japan's defense minister is preparing to visit South Korea in late June for talks with his counterpart, as the two countries accelerate efforts to institutionalize military cooperation amid growing regional security threats.
According to Japanese media reports, Shinjiro Koizumi is coordinating a visit to Seoul to meet South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek. If confirmed, it would mark his first trip to South Korea since taking office.
During the visit, Koizumi is also expected to tour areas near the inter-Korean border and inspect facilities used by United States Forces Korea, signaling a deeper level of defense engagement.
The planned trip follows a January agreement between the two countries to hold regular reciprocal visits between defense ministers. Officials at the time also pledged to expand communication between defense authorities and increase exchanges between military units in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities.
North Korea's growing military cooperation with Russia, along with its continued missile development, has heightened concerns in both Seoul and Tokyo. Pyongyang recently tested a missile believed to carry a cluster-type warhead, underscoring its efforts to diversify attack capabilities.
For South Korea, the North poses a direct military threat, while Japan faces risks from missiles flying over its territory or landing in its exclusive economic zone. Despite geographic differences, both countries face a shared security challenge.
China's expanding military presence in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait and South China Sea has also contributed to the shift. Tokyo views Beijing's activities as a central security challenge, while Seoul faces mounting pressure related to maritime routes, supply chains and regional stability.
Analysts say these overlapping threats from North Korea, China and Russia are driving closer strategic alignment between South Korea and Japan, forming the basis for enhanced defense cooperation.
Both governments are also moving to formalize cooperation mechanisms. A "2+2" meeting involving vice ministers of foreign affairs and defense is scheduled for early May, and Koizumi's visit in June could further link working-level coordination with ministerial-level talks.
Recent developments suggest cooperation is already extending beyond policy discussions. In January, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force provided midair refueling support to a South Korean aircraft, reflecting operational-level collaboration.
Public skepticism toward military cooperation with Japan remains in parts of South Korea, largely due to historical grievances stemming from Japan's colonial rule. However, experts argue that historical issues and present-day security challenges should be addressed separately, emphasizing pragmatic cooperation based on national interests.
Both countries are key U.S. allies, with overlapping strategic interests in potential contingencies on the Korean Peninsula, stability in the Taiwan Strait and protection of critical sea lanes.
Observers say the planned visit could mark a turning point, signaling that bilateral security cooperation is moving beyond political rhetoric toward structured and operational frameworks.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260430010009789