Japan GSDF head makes official visit to South Korea

NHK has learned that the head of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is on an official visit to South Korea at the invitation of the country's army. It is the first such trip in 17 years.

GSDF Chief of Staff Arai Masayoshi arrived at Gimpo International Airport outside Seoul on Tuesday afternoon.

Sources say Arai is expected to discuss regional security and defense cooperation with Kim Gyu-ha, chief of staff of the South Korean army. Arai is expected to stay through Wednesday and attend a dinner. He is also scheduled to visit an army unit.

In July 2025, a month after Lee Jae Myung became South Korea's president, Japan's then-chief of staff of the Joint Staff Office visited South Korea to attend a meeting between South Korea and US military forces.

In August, US-South Korea joint military exercises were cut short, raising concerns of a decline in US military deterrence in East Asia.

Japan and South Korea appear to be aiming to strengthen their partnership amid good bilateral relations. This includes exchanges between units and joint training.