Korea, U.S. could expand intelligence partnership to include Japan

Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security adviser, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport Saturday after returning from a five-day trip to Washington. [NEWS1]

Korea and the United States could expand their intelligence partnership to include Japan, which could rival the U.S.-led "Five Eyes" information-sharing network during their upcoming bilateral summit, said Seoul's deputy national security adviser.

Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security adviser, told reporters at Incheon International Airport after returning from Washington Saturday that there is a "high possibility" that Japan could in included in an intelligence alliance with Korea and the United States, but that it can be reviewed on a "step-by-step" or "case-by-case" basis.

He was asked whether the intelligence-sharing cooperation between Seoul and Washington can be elevated to a network similar to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprised of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

The Five Eyes network dates back to U.S. and British intelligence cooperation during World War II and evolved during the Cold War era as a mechanism for monitoring the Soviet Union.

"There is an information-sharing alliance of English-speaking countries called Five Eyes," said Kim. "And we have a Korea-U.S. intelligence alliance that is perhaps sharing cyber information on the Korean Peninsula even deeper that, which we are further solidifying."

He added that going forward, "there will be discussions on which partners would additionally be invited to the Korea-U.S. intelligence alliance in the future."

Korea and Japan have worked at improving bilateral relations, including through formally normalizing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (Gsomia), their bilateral intelligence-sharing pact, following a summit between the two countries' leaders last month.

Kim wrapped up a five-day trip to the United States Saturday, where he met with U.S. officials finalizing preparations ahead of a summit between Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on April 26.

The trip came after classified Pentagon documents leaked online indicated that the United States has been spying on its allies, including on the Korean government's internal communications regarding the provision of military aid to Ukraine.

Kim told reporters that U.S. officials he met "expressed regret at every opportunity" over the leak of classified documents which led to suspicions that the United States has been wiretapping the Yongsan presidential office.

He said that the United States promised to "communicate closely if any additional situation arises," noting that they both understood the "seriousness of the situation" and that officials "promised close cooperation in the future" on the matter.

Kim stressed that the "trust between the two countries must not be shaken under any circumstances" and called the wiretapping controversy an opportunity "to hold a summit with more substantial results based on a relationship of trust."

Kim said that he met with White House, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence officials during his trip to Washington.

He said that the wiretapping issue is not expected to be raised as an agenda item during the upcoming bilateral summit which will instead would focus on three key areas: security, economy and social and cultural exchanges.

"Based on the achievements of the alliance over the past 70 years, I believe this will be a summit that will become an important historical turning point that will set a new milestone for the future of the alliance," said Kim.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]