APD | South Korea interested in intelligence-sharing pact with Bangkok

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

According to recent reports, South Korea has shown interest in signing an intelligence sharing pact – called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Thailand.

However, some US officials have criticized South Korean’s eying of the pact, arguing that with the materializing of the pact, the US-South Korean alliance will be marginalized, which has served South Korea in many ways including containing North Korea, Russia and Chinese advancements.

Few US officials also explained that currently, there are 28,500 American troops in South Korea and by entering into an agreement the position of their soldiers will also become weak as they will be risking varied sorts of vulnerability..

Nevertheless, Seoul’s step is being understood as an attempt to enhance cooperation with the ASEAN countries. It is also being understood as a part of South Korea’s southern policy. means to decrease its reliance on other countries, including the US, China, Russia and Japan.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)