Destabillization of the Koreas

South Korea reportedly announced Thursday it is scrapping an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan over ongoing disputes over diplomacy and trade.

The arrangement was intended to share information between the two countries over the threat that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs poses to them both. The decision to scrap it comes shortly after Pyongyang launched a series of short-range projectiles in part over what it sees as threatening military ramp-ups in South Korea and Japan.

  The Hill

Seems like the perfect time to quit sharing intel, no?

Seoul accused Tokyo of creating a “grave change” by removing South Korea’s fast-track export status. Japan cited unspecified security concerns over the trade decision.

[...]

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono torched South Korea for cancelling the agreement, calling it a “completely mistaken response” and extremely regrettable, Reuters reported. Tokyo later summoned the South Korean ambassador to protest the decision officially.

[...]

“We encourage Japan and Korea to work together to resolve their differences,” Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn told Reuters. “I hope they can do this quickly.”

[...]

South Korea and Japan shared intelligence through the U.S. prior to the agreement’s signing in 2016. The deal was signed under pressure from Washington and despite opposition from some South Korean political parties still bitter over Japanese actions during its colonial rule of Korea from 1910 until the end of World War II.

The deal’s cancelation sparked fears that Japan and South Korea could be less prepared for aggression from Pyongyang.

You think?

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.