HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today welcomed the government of the Republic of Korea’s decision not to withdraw from the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), an agreement between the Republic of Korea and Japan which is vital to U.S. and allied security interests in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are encouraged that the Republic of Korea made the difficult but wise decision regarding its military information-sharing agreement with Japan. Preserving this vital intelligence-sharing agreement will greatly benefit our alliances and bilateral cooperation,” said the senators. “As the Republic of Korea and Japan continue to develop the appropriate mechanisms to address diplomatic, economic, and historical issues, they should know that they can count on the United States as an ally, partner, and friend. Only our adversaries profit from our division.”
In August, the Republic of Korea announced its intent to withdraw from GSOMIA. Senators Risch, Menendez, Inhofe, and Reed led a resolution in the Senate reaffirming the importance of GSOMIA and encouraged the Republic of Korea to continue its participation in the agreement. The resolution unanimously passed the Senate ahead of the Nov. 23rd deadline for the Republic of Korea to officially withdraw.
The resolution, S.Res.435, was introduced on Nov. 20 and passed the Senate on Nov. 21. A copy of the resolution is available on the SFRC website and on Congress.gov.
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