Defense ministers of Korea, Japan to hold talks for deeper cooperation

Defense ministers of Korea and Japan were set to hold talks in Seoul on Sunday as the two countries seek to expand defense cooperation amid warming bilateral ties. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will meet with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, less than a month after their previous talks on the margins of a security forum in Singapore. Koizumi arrived in Seoul the previous day for a two-day visit — his first trip as defense minister — reciprocating Ahn's visit to Japan in January for talks with his Japanese counterpart.

The two sides will announce the outcome of talks in a joint press statement. Sunday's talks come as Korea and Japan are seeking to build on the positive momentum in defense ties to further cement their cooperation. Earlier this month, the two countries resumed their joint maritime search and rescue exercises (SAREX) after a nine-year hiatus, a move seen as a significant step forward in their defense relationship.

Drawing attention is whether the two sides will advance cooperation in the refueling support for Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team. Japanese media re