South Korea's cabinet has approved a bilateral military intelligence pact with Japan. Under the General Security of the Military Information Agreement, both countries will be able to directly exchange intelligence on nuclear and missile developments in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Presidential ratification of the pact is expected later on Tuesday, with the signing ceremony set to be held the next day. The accord will go into effect immediately after signing. The move has gained opposition from the public and parliament. According to a Gallup Korea poll, 59% of those surveryed are opposed to the deal with Tokyo.

"It is absolutely absurd that South Korea and Japan have abruptly signed a military intelligence sharing pact in only 27 days when Japan has never made an apology to South Korea for the crimes it committed during the Second World War and the colonial period. That is why we are staging a sit-in protest. We will continue to take action in every way until this agreement is withdrawn, whether it be a rally or a sit-in protest," said protester Woo Dong-Hee.