Seoul: South Korea has engaged in discussions with Japan over a proposed bilateral military logistics support pact, although Seoul remains cautious, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated on Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn shared these remarks with the press during a defense forum in Singapore, following his bilateral talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Ahn mentioned that there were discussions about a potential acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), though he refrained from providing further details. He emphasized the importance of understanding and persuading the populations of both countries, indicating the need for caution.

An ACSA is a bilateral agreement between the United States and its allies that facilitates the sharing of logistics supplies and services, such as food, fuel, and transportation, during emergencies. Japan has been eager to establish such an agreement with South Korea to enhance military coordination bilaterally and with the U.S., aiming to strengthen deterrence against threats from North Korea and China's assertive stance.

Seoul's cautious approach is influenced by concerns that the pact could allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to operate on the Korean Peninsula and affect its relations with Beijing. Historical tensions stemming from Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945 also contribute to Seoul's reserved stance.

Regarding U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent call for a balanced approach to the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), Ahn interpreted it as a positive evaluation of South Korea's readiness and capabilities for the transition. Hegseth highlighted the need to honor the roles the U.S. military has played on the Korean Peninsula while finding a balance in the OPCON transfer process.

The timing and manner of the OPCON transition have raised concerns due to differing perspectives between Seoul and Washington. South Korea aims to regain wartime OPCON from the U.S. by 2030, before the end of President Lee Jae Myung's term, while U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson has suggested the first quarter of 2029 as a potential timeline. The allies have yet to finalize a target year for the transition.

Ahn also reported on his meetings with U.S. lawmakers present at the conference, during which he conveyed South Korea's efforts towards a conditions-based OPCON transfer, as agreed with Washington. He sought understanding and support from the U.S. Congress, which he described as a strong pillar of the alliance, and noted the lawmakers' considerable understanding of South Korea's preparations for the OPCON transfer.