On November 22, 2019, South Korea announced that it will “conditionally” suspend the termination of a military information-sharing pact with Japan. The announcement came just six hours prior to the expiration of the three-year-old General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). Washington had lobbied for the continuation of the agreement, which helps gather intelligence on North Korea’s missile activity. The extension by South Korea is conditional on the fact that it could terminate GSOMIA at any time.
In addition, South Korea has also agreed to suspend a complaint against Japan at the World Trade Organization, and both Seoul and Tokyo have agreed to resume working-level talks around export controls. The extension of GSOMIA indicates that relations between the two countries may be improving after months of escalating tensions.
