Defense chiefs of S. Korea, Japan to meet over N. Korea issues

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense chief will discuss North Korea
issues and seek to expand security ties with Japan during his three-day trip to
Tokyo that will begin Thursday, an official here said Wednesday.
South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee will meet with his counterpart,
Yasukazu Hamada, on Thursday and discuss "regional issues including North Korea,"
said Cho Baek-sang, an official at the Ministry of National Defense.
"The two ministers will exchange opinions on various Northeast Asian issues,
including the North Korean problem," Cho said in a briefing.
Tension runs high in the region after North Korea went ahead with a rocket launch
on April 5 despite warnings it would be considered a provocative test of
ballistic missile technology.
The visit by Lee marks the first time the two countries are holding a meeting of
defense ministers since February 2007, Cho added.
"The two sides will seek to reach a tentative agreement aimed at laying the
groundwork for further defense cooperation, as no such agreement has been made in
the past despite their increasing exchanges," he said.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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