South Korea to cooperate on security

WASHINGTON , Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement to expand cooperation on countering terrorist and other security threats.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Justice Department met with the South Korean representatives to sign a deal that would expand security initiatives and improve information sharing between the countries as part of South Korea's candidacy for the visa waiver program to the United States, the DHS reported.

DHS Deputy Secretary Paul Schneider and Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz signed the agreement with South Korean Ambassador Lee Tae-sik.

"I commend Korea for its collaboration and taking this important step toward joining an expanded and more secure visa waiver program," Schneider said in a statement.

"This agreement will enable law enforcement officers in both countries to share information to combat crime and enhance our ability to prevent criminal and terrorist travel."

There are currently 27 countries that participate in the DHS' visa-free waiver program. Officials say South Korean could be admitted to the program as early as Nov. 17.