South Korea’s Foreign Ministry reiterated Thursday that Tokyo must secure Seoul’s consent should it conduct any military activities that would affect the peninsular security and Korea’s national interests.

The ministry’s statement came as the lower house of Japan’s legislature passed 11 controversial bills to enable its troops to fight abroad to support the military operations of its ally, the U.S., under the concept of collective self-defense.

South Korea cannot accept Japanese military activities should they proceed without Seoul’s consent despite their potential impact on the peninsular security, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday, a day after the lower house of Japan’s legislature passed the legislation to expand its security role.

“Our position has been consistent that Japan’s defense policy should go in the direction that upholds the spirits of its pacifist constitution and contributes to regional peace and stability,” Yoo Chang-ho, a senior public affairs official at Seoul’s Foreign Ministry, said during a regular press briefing.

“Seoul and Tokyo have held close consultations over the issue. We will continue to have that working-level consultation as the upper house of the Diet is set to deliberate on the legislation,” he added.

Japan’s push for heavier armament and a greater security role has been a constant source of security concerns for South Korea, which was colonized by the archipelago state from 1910-45. Korea’s concerns have been amplified by conservative Japanese politicians’ nationalist rhetoric and revisionist views of history.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)