TOKYO - Japan on Thursday summoned the South Korean ambassador to protest Seoul's decision to scrap an intelligence-sharing agreement with Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said, as relations between the neighbours further worsened.

Kono also told reporters that South Korea was misreading the security environment following its move. Seoul earlier said it was scrapping the intelligence-sharing pact, a decision that could escalate a dispute over history and trade and undercut security cooperation on North Korea.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Alison Williams) ((david.dolan@tr.com; +81 3 6441 1526; Reuters Messaging: david.dolan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))