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Abe: Seoul's Ending of Intelligence Deal Damages Mutual Trust

William Gallo

   SEOUL - Japan's prime minister said Friday that South Korea's decision
   to end a military intelligence sharing deal with Tokyo damages mutual
   trust.

   Shinzo Abe, speaking a day after Seoul announced its decision, said
   Tokyo "will continue to closely coordinate with the U.S. to ensure
   regional peace and prosperity, as well as Japan's security."

   In an escalation of its bitter dispute with Japan, South Korea decided
   Thursday to scrap its military intelligence sharing agreement with
   Tokyo, opening a new divide in trilateral security cooperation among
   the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.

   South Korea's presidential Blue House said Thursday it is not in its
   national interest to continue the deal. Seoul will inform Tokyo of its
   decision before the Saturday deadline to renew the agreement, the South
   Korean statement said.

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