The postponed military accord between Korea and Japan faces a rough ride as a public and political backlash driven by anti-Japanese sentiment is expected to persist in a pivotal election year.

In a major diplomatic embarrassment, Seoul called off a signing ceremony at the last minute on Friday for the General Security of Military Information Agreement, designed to facilitate the exchange of intelligence on North Korea and search-and-rescue-related operations.

The main opposition Democratic United Party on Sunday launched a fresh attack on the government, demanding that Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik step down.

“Adding the deal as an offhand item to the agenda (of the Cabinet meeting) is problematic in both its process and content,” DUP Chairman Lee Hae-chan told Presidential Chief of Staff Ha Kum-ioul.

“If the president does not fire the prime minister, the National Assembly will have no option but to initiate a no-confidence resolution.”

Civic groups and opposition lawmakers cried foul at the first defense pact between the two countries due to historical and territorial disputes and the possibility of cooling relations with North Korea and China.

The Cabinet has come under fire also for endorsing it at a closed meeting on Tuesday without seeking the public’s understanding.

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik apologized for the uproar and “procedural lapses.” Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan made a phone call later in the day to his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Genba to give an explanation of the delay.

Genba said in response that he hopes the signing would come as early as possible, the ministry said in a statement.

“The government fully understands that it handled the matter somewhat roughly. The postponement reflects its judgment that the accord should first win public support to truly contribute to national security,” a senior government official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

As controversy grows, critics are increasingly taking aim at President Lee Myung-bak and his senior security advisor Kim Tae-hyo, a vocal advocate of Korea-Japan military cooperation.

The Foreign Ministry has alerted Cheong Wa Dae to possible repercussions of its clandestine approval given bitter public sentiment toward the former colonial ruler.

But the presidential office had pushed ahead with the agreement behind the scenes to be struck within his tenure ending in February, drawing even larger protests, officials said.

Lee is barred by law from seeking reelection.

“The idea of offering our military intelligence to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces is utterly unreasonable. Lee must make a sincere apology before the people,” DUP spokesperson Kim Hyun said in a statement late Friday.

Anti-Japan sentiment persists due to Tokyo’s frequent sovereignty claims over the Korean islets of Dokdo, alterations of historical facts in school textbooks, and failure to apologize for conscription of laborers and sex slaves during its colonial rule from 1910-45.

The ministry said it plans to try to promote the public’s understanding of the legitimacy and necessity of the GSOMIA via an interpellation session at the National Assembly next week. The accord does not need parliamentary approval.

However, it is unclear whether the politically sensitive agreement could survive robust opposition in the run up to the December presidential vote, observers say.

The DUP is calling for a full retraction of the deal.

“It’s a promise between two countries. It’s too late to call it off,” another government official said, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

“We’ll of course move ahead with the planning but just don’t know how long it will take. We’ll see how the parliamentary session plays out.”

Bilateral discussions on the intelligence pact date back to 2008 or even earlier as Seoul and Tokyo strive to meet an ever-growing demand for security cooperation amid North Korea’s unrelenting saber-rattling and China’s rapid arsenal buildup.

The Foreign and Defense Ministries said early last week that they have already held discussions with the floor leaders and chief policymakers of the ruling Saenuri Party and the DUP.

Saenuri in particular was supportive of the GSOMIA until the Friday morning, saying “historical problems and the pact are another kettle of fish.” Its chief policymaker, Chin Young, “entirely agreed” with the intelligence accord, a Defense Ministry official told reporters on Thursday.

In mere hours, the conservative party made an about-face, caving to snowballing pressure. The decision to delay was made by Foreign Minister Kim shortly after receiving a phone call from Rep. Lee Han-koo, Saenuri’s floor leader.

“The government has made an explanation to the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition camps, but I guess there have not been sufficient discussions within the National Assembly,” Ha Kum-ioul said.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)