South Korea, Japan Defense Ministers Hold Phone Talks on Cooperation

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back spoke with his Japanese counterpart on the phone Tuesday and shared an understanding on the need for bilateral defense cooperation grounded in mutual understanding, Seoul's defense ministry said.

Ahn held a video call with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi earlier in the day, where he reaffirmed the trust built between the two nations during his tenure, according to the ministry.

He also expressed condolences over the recent earthquake in Japan's southern Kumamoto Prefecture in late July.

The two sides shared a consensus on the importance of bilateral as well as trilateral cooperation with the United States, for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

The talks come as the relations between the defense officials have soured recently after Koizumi visited a controversial war shrine in Tokyo last month, a move that drew criticism from Seoul.

The Japanese defense chief did not attend the annual Seoul Defense Dialogue earlier this month, with Japan's vice defense minister attending in his place.