S.Korea, Japan, US intelligence-sharing pact takes effect

SEOUL - The trilateral pact to share military intelligence between South Korea, Japan and the United States took effect on Monday, Seoul's defense ministry said.

According to a copy of the agreement, the three countries will share intelligence on nuclear and missile "threats" posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in any form such as "oral, visual, electronic, magnetic or documentary form."

South Korea and Japan will exchange intelligence only through the United States after consent from both nations. Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), Seoul and Tokyo will not share intelligence directly.

The MOU is based on intelligence-sharing agreements inked in 1987 between Seoul and Washington and in 2007 between Tokyo and Washington.

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo told lawmakers that the signing of the MOU was conducted on Dec 23 by the United States and on Dec 26 by South Korea and Japan respectively, saying it was brought into effect from Monday as it took time to complete all necessary procedures.

South Korean defense ministry said last Friday that the three countries would sign the pact Monday. Lawmakers denounced the ministry for the belated report on it to the parliament though it needs no parliamentary approval.

The agreement will not have legally binding effects under international law or domestic laws and regulations, the copy of the agreement stated.

The agreement will remain operative until a participant gives an advance notice to the other participants that it no longer participates in the arrangement.