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South Korea, Japan discuss military-logistics support deal, Seoul says

By Reuters Reuters
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back review the troops during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka District, Tokyo, January 30, 2026. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back review the troops during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka District, Tokyo, January 30, 2026. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS Eugene Hoshiko Reuters

SINGAPORE - The South Korean and Japanese defence ministers discussed the possibility of concluding a military-logistics support agreement, Yonhap News Agency said on Sunday.

"It requires the understanding and persuasion of the citizens of both nations, and I believe we should still proceed with caution," South Korea's Ahn Gyu-back told reporters after meeting his counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Shangri-La Dialogue of regional defence chiefs in Singapore.

Ahn was referring to a potential acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, which would allow neighbouring U.S. allies Seoul and Tokyo to share and mutually procure military logistics such as fuel, food and ammunition.

(Reporting by Rae Wee in Singapore and Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul; Editing by William Mallard)

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back shake hands prior to their meeting at the headquarters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka District, Tokyo, January 30, 2026. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back shake hands prior to their meeting at the headquarters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka District, Tokyo, January 30, 2026. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS Eugene Hoshiko Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 1:06 AM.

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