South Korea has launched an investigation into the handling of a proposed intelligence cooperation deal with Japan.

The agreement, which would have formalised intelligence sharing already taking place, was scrapped just an hour before it was due to be signed last week because politicians say there was no proper consultation.

Japan’s previous colonial presence still weighs heavily on current-day politics and any appearance of pro-Japanese sentiment can be hugely damaging. That is why trying to force the deal through without public or parliamentary consultation has proved such a miscalculation for the government.

Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from Seoul.