S. Korea, Japan to begin operating hot lines
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, May 6, 1999
TOKYO -- South Korea and Japan will begin the operation of a
military hot line to exchange information and coordinate in case of
emergencies.
The South Korean Defense Ministry said the lines will link the
ministry's head of Policy Planning Bureau with the defense counselor of
Japan's Defense Agency. The hot line will be launched on Thursday, the
South Korean ministry said.
The hot line was established as part of an effort to increase military
cooperation between Tokyo and Seoul amid the development of ballistic
missiles and nuclear weapons by North Korea. South Korea and Japan have
been joined by the United States to try to limit Pyongyang's military
programs.
U.S. officials said Clinton administration envoys will soon be allowed
to inspect an underground suspected nuclear facility in North Korea. "I
believe the plan is being finalized or may have been finalized, but
roughly it's in mid-May. So soon -- very soon.," State Department
spokesman James Rubin said.
Thursday, May 6, 1999
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