美국무부 "한일군사정보협정 연장 전적 지지…비핵화 중요수단"

With South Korea and Japan both being U.S. allies, their militaries have been sharing information under a three-year-old deal which will soon need to be renewed.
And Washington reportedly wants the two countries to extend the deal.
Our Kim Ji-yeon has more.
The U.S. State Department has reportedly said it fully supports South Korea and Japan extending their agreement on sharing military intelligence.
That deal was signed in 2016, and is known as the General Security of Military Information Agreement or GSOMIA .
According to Voice of America, an official at the State Department spokesperson's office said Friday by e-mail that GSOMIA is an important part of achieving the final, fully, verified denuclearization of North Korea... as well as maintaining peace and prosperity in Asia.
The official also said that GSOMIA shows the maturity of South Korea and Japan's security relationship... and helps their joint efforts with the U.S. on denuclearization.
But speculations have been raised that South Korea could review whether to renew GSOMIA or let it expire.
Opposition lawmaker Shim Sang-jung, with the minor Justice Party, quoted National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong... following Thursday's meeting between President Moon Jae-in and party leaders at the Blue House... that the government has a position to maintain GSOMIA... but that it can be reconsidered in accordance with relevant situations..
Seoul's defense ministry, meanwhile, said Friday... that in principle, it'll maintain the agreement, but it's contemplating an array of issues including the agreement's effectiveness.
It also added that revoking GSOMIA would be a step too far.
The deadline to notify Japan whether it'll terminate the agreement is August 24th.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.