AP

TOKYO JAPAN and South Korea put on hold an intelligence sharing pact less than an hour before it was to be formally signed on Friday, in a major embarrassment for both countries forced by a political outcry in Seoul.

The military pact, the first between South Korea and Japan since World War II, had been seen as a breakthrough between two neighbours with a difficult history.

Shortly before the signing was postponed, Japan’s foreign minister had called the agreement a “historic event.” The agreement caused an uproar in South Korea, which was ruled by Japan as a colony for several decades until the end of World War II in 1945. Critics say the government in Seoul, fearing a backlash from opponents who don’t trust Japan, had pushed the pact through without allowing enough public debate.

Japan’s Cabinet approved the pact on Friday, after South Korea’s approval earlier in the week. But Seoul backtracked on Friday, saying it would hold off on the formal signing ceremony because of concerns among South Koreans.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the ceremony was postponed because of a request from Seoul.

“This is an agreement that we think is very important,” said Noriyuki Shikata, deputy Cabinet secretary for public relations. “Our view is that we still want to sign it.” Seoul has often been wary of Japan’s postwar military development, but the nations have many shared concerns, particularly North Korea and China.

The pact would establish a framework for sharing intelligence in such areas as missile defence, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, Chinese military operations and other regional security matters.

The move to forge the pact reflects deepening mutual concerns that more cooperation is needed to enhance security readiness.

The two countries are increasingly concerned by potential threats from North Korea, which is developing its long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities.

They are also closely watching the rise of China’s military.

North Korea heightened regional tensions in April with the launch of a rocket that was widely criticised as a test of long-range missile technology. The launch was of particular concern to Seoul and Tokyo because they are within reach of the North’s missile arsenal.

Such fears spurred the government efforts to cooperate more closely on intelligence sharing, though the pact remains controversial among some in South Korea.

“An accord for militaryinformation protection with Japan is necessary given the ever-growing threat from the North,” South Korea’s JoongAng Daily newspaper said in an editorial. “The more quality information we have about the North, the better our security.” Along with bitter memories from Japan’s often brutal colonial rule of Korea, the two countries remain at odds over a territorial dispute that has marred their relations.