ANALISIS KERENTANAN GENERAL SECURITY OF MILTARY INFORMATION AGREEMENT (GSOMIA) ANTARA KOREA SELATAN DAN JEPANG

Abstract

The focus of this research is the cooperation between South Korea and Japan under the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in facing North Korea's nuclear threat in the East Asia region. Due to geographical proximity, South Korea and Japan share the same perception of security threats within the region, i.e. North Korea’s Nuclear. In response to this threat, GSOMIA was formed by the two countries in 2016 to monitor North Korea's nuclear activities in the region. However, in 2019 South Korea withdrew and was unwilling to continue GSOMIA with Japan due to a bilateral conflict rooted in the historical sentiments of the two relations. The purpose of this research is to analyse GSOMIA and to explain why GSOMIA is vulnerable to cooperation stagnation and termination.

In analyzing this cooperation, this research uses regional security complex theory. The position of this research topic is at the sub-system (regional) level to understand the behavior patterns and interactions of actors/states in the region that often carry out in groups and the tendency for interdependence in the security sector. This study uses qualitative research methods that are explanatory to obtain a deeper analysis and understanding. All data obtained are secondary data sourced from official publications by the South Korean and Japanese governments, reports published by independent organizations, and scientific journals.

The result of this research show that this cooperation is vulnerable and strongly influenced by the long-standing enmity factor. The history and conflict history between the two countries greatly influence the sustainability of GSOMIA. Can be seen from South Korea's decision to withdraw from cooperation and the worsening of bilateral relations between the two countries to their lowest point in 2019. Although it was finally continued, with the enactment of a clause that the two countries could end cooperation at any time, it further increased the risk of cooperation end.

Keywords: General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), Japan-South Korea, North Korea’s Nuclear, long-standing enmity, regional security complex.