The police forces of Tokyo and Seoul signed an agreement Monday that paves the way for cooperation in combating international organized crime and trafficking in arms and drugs.

The pact was signed during a morning ceremony attended by Kenji Maeda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, and visiting Seoul police department head Lee Mu Yong.

According to the MPD, it marks the first time Japanese police have signed such a cooperation agreement with foreign law enforcement counterparts on a prefectural level.

The idea was put on the table by the South Korean side in February, they said.

In addition to battling organized crime, the two sides will also work together in such areas as traffic control, juvenile crime and investigations using scientific technology.

They are also expected to work together to beef up security for the 2002 soccer World Cup, which is to be jointly hosted by the two nations.

Maeda lauded the pact, saying it bears great significance at a time when crime is transcending national borders.

Lee said the agreement would serve as a springboard for public security in both countries and would help accelerate cooperation toward the World Cup.

Lee arrived Sunday and will be in Japan till Thursday. Activities planned during his stay include a tour of a "koban" police box in the Kabukicho district of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward as well as a visit to a forensic lab.