By Trefor Moss
Japan and South Korea were on the verge of signing a landmark military cooperation pact yesterday. This was meant to be the moment when Seoul and Tokyo decided to prioritize the needs of the future over the troubles of the past. But at the last minute the deal was off, sunk by the weight of history.
The two countries have of course long been on the same geopolitical ‘side’: they are the U.S.’s two most important Asian allies, two of the region’s strongest democracies, and two of its most advanced economies.
Though economic ties have flourished, any kind of Japan-Korea defense deal seemed inconceivable. That such a pact was even being considered gave observers high hopes that times had changed. The two countries saw clear benefits in sharing military intelligence, with the North Korean threat and the rise of China taking precedent over the past.
Read the full story at The Diplomat