Opposition parties to recommend dismissal of defense minister over Korea-Japan military pact

By 임정요

Published : Nov. 15, 2016 - 15:34

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Opposition parties on Tuesday agreed to submit a motion later this month to recommend the dismissal of Defense Minister Han Min-koo to make good on their pledge to unseat him for the provisional signing of a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan.

The Democratic Party, the People's Party and the Justice Party made the agreement to submit the motion on Nov. 30 and put it to vote during the National Assembly's plenary session slated for Dec. 2.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo is seen attending a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Nov. 14. (Yonhap)

The passage of the motion requires approval from more than half of the total 300 lawmakers. With the National Assembly controlled by the opposition bloc, the passage is highly likely, observers said.

On Monday, Seoul and Tokyo tentatively signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to enhance cooperation in coping with Pyongyang's growing nuclear and missile threats. Opposition parties have criticized the defense minister for pushing for the signing without public consensus.

The parties' stance against the GSOMIA reflects citizens' opposition to any close military collaboration with their onetime colonizer, which they think failed to fully atone for its colonial-era misdeeds. Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45. (Yonhap)

Opposition parties to recommend dismissal of defense minister over Korea-Japan military pact

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