The 2019 GSOMIA Crisis: How a Trade Dispute Reached Security
Notification and withdrawal of Korea-Japan GSOMIA termination
GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement) between Korea and Japan was signed in 2016. In August 2019, the Korean government notified termination of GSOMIA in response to Japan's export restrictions.
The United States strongly opposed this, calling GSOMIA a key pillar of Northeast Asian security. Korea ultimately conditionally suspended the termination notice just before the November deadline.
This incident demonstrated that economic disputes can expand into the security domain.
Key Timeline
1
2016: Korea-Japan GSOMIA signed
2
Aug 2019: Korea notifies GSOMIA termination
3
Sep-Nov 2019: Strong US pressure to maintain
4
Nov 2019: Korea suspends termination notice