16 November 2016

News Story: S.Korea to sign military pact with Japan amid absence of coalition cabinet

By Yoo Seungki

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea is expected to formally sign a military intelligence pact with Japan later this month in the absence of a coalition cabinet that would be formed by the parliament-proposed prime minister.

Seoul's foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck told a press briefing on Tuesday that the accord with Japan would be brought to the vice ministers' meeting as the legislative office completed deliberation on its legality.

South Korea and Japan resumed talks earlier this month on the direct exchange of military intelligence on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile programs.

The two sides initialed the deal on Monday, and it is forecast to be formally signed late in November following internal procedures which include ratifications here in vice ministers' meeting on Thursday and cabinet meeting next Tuesday. The final procedure would be President Park Geun-hye's ratification.

Read the full story at Xinhua