Defense chiefs of S. Korea, Japan agree on defense cooperation based on 'mutual understanding'

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back engaged in discussions with his Japanese counterpart via phone on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity for bilateral defense cooperation rooted in mutual understanding, according to Seoul's defense ministry. On a separate video call earlier, Ahn reiterated the trust established between the two nations during his tenure, stating that he also conveyed condolences over the recent earthquake that struck Japan's southern Kumamoto Prefecture in late July.

Both parties concurred on the significance of bilateral and trilateral cooperation with the United States to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the broader region. The meeting follows a recent deterioration in relations between the defense officials, following Koizumi's visit to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo last month, which provoked criticism from Seoul.

Japan's defense chief did not attend the annual Seoul Defense Dialogue this month, with Japan's vice defense minister representing him instead.