South Korea and Japan have agreed to speed-up the sharing of military intelligence about North Korea, especially about that rogue nation's nuclear and missile tests, in an agreement signed in Seoul Nov. 23.

The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) caps four years of on and off negotiations that were given a definitive final push by North Korea's rash of missile tests and the detonation of a nuclear bomb (it's fifth and largest so far) last September.

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It was signed by South Korean Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo and Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul.

"The pact will allow South Korea to directly share information on Pyongyang obtained by Japan without having to go through the United States. It will help restrain Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development programs," said Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-kyun.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye approved GSOMIA after it was passed by the Cabinet. South Korea maintains pacts with 32 countries on sharing military information.

Under GSOMIA, Japan and South Korea will share information about North Korea's nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, and the communist regime's military activities.

On the other hand, the pact does not allow either Japan or South Korea to pass information obtained from the other to any third party such as the United States without permission of either party. All military information sharing will be made under the principle of reciprocity.

"The foreign ministry will send a written notice about the final signing to Japan today. If Japan responds with its own written notice, the agreement will go into effect immediately," said Moon.

Ambassador Nagamine said GSOMIA will strengthen South Korea's defense capabilities against the North's persistent threats.

Japanese spy satellite photos of North Korea and its information on submarine-launched ballistic missiles will especially enhance South Korea defense capabilities.

Japan's Ministry of Defense said the country's information-gathering assets include five surveillance satellites, six Aegis-class guided missile destroyers, four radar systems with a detection range of over 1,000 kilometers, early warning aircraft and 77 maritime patrol aircraft.

TagsJapan, South Korea, General Security of Military Information Agreement, GSOMIA, President Park Geun-Hye, North Korea, Nuclear Tests, missile tests