SEOUL, June 29 (UPI) -- South Korea would "push ahead" with signing a controversial military agreement with Japan after discussions in the National Assembly, an official said Friday.
The announcement came about 20 minutes before the scheduled signing in Tokyo, Kyodo News reported.
The delay was requested by South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party.
"With regards to the South Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement, which was due to be signed at 4 p.m., [the government)] decided to discuss the matter with the 19th National Assembly and then push ahead with the signing," Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Byung-jae said. An inaugural session of the new Parliament will be held next Monday, Yonhap reported.
The news agency said the pact, which would boost military intelligence exchanges on North Korea, has been controversial with the public because of continued resentment over Japan's rule from 1910 through 1945.
Yonhap said dozens of South Korean civic groups and politicians have accused the government of bowing to pressure from Tokyo and Washington to enhance military cooperation against the rise of China.
