Berger concerned with relations between Japan and SKo

(21 Aug 2019) General David Berger, the new US Marines commandant, says he is concerned about deteriorating relations between Japan and South Korea, both key regional allies.

Berger told reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday that Japan and Korea have common interests despite their differences, such as the threat posed by China and North Korea.

Berger spoke during his first trip to Japan after being appointed, which includes visiting Okinawa, where most of the US forces here are based.

He declined to comment on what might happen if South Korea makes good on the threat to end an agreement with Japan to share military intelligence, called the General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA, which went into effect in 2016. He said such sharing was important from a military standpoint, and discussions were ongoing outside the military.

He heads to South Korea later this week.



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