Asian countries must never pave way for revival of Japanese neo-militarism
2026-06-13 10:59:32 source：Global Times
Jun 13, 2026
On June 8, at a press conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung commented on the South Korea-Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). He noted that he had told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that, given public sentiment in South Korea, it would be difficult to conclude the agreement at this time.
On the surface, ACSA is a technical arrangement enabling the two militaries to share logistical support, including fuel, rations, ammunition, transport and medical services. Yet against the backdrop of Japan's ongoing push to become a major military power and its drive to build a regional military cooperation network by wooing neighboring states, the agreement is by no means a simple logistical one. It represents a key step for Japan to shake off postwar restrictions and redefine its military role in the region.
Lee's comments are striking because they cut straight to the most sensitive political crux of South Korea-Japan military cooperation: Japan has never offered genuine reflection on its history of aggression, nor has it issued a clear, sincere and unequivocal apology to the Asian nations it once victimized.
Read more: