During a recent meeting between South Korea and Australia’s defense and foreign ministers in Melbourne, the South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik announced that the government is considering sharing advanced military technology with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia through the AUKUS partnership. This potential collaboration could involve a range of security technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and hypersonic systems under AUKUS Pillar 2.
The AUKUS agreement was established in 2021, with the United States and the United Kingdom providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines to counter China’s increasing military presence in the region. With South Korea and Japan also considering joining AUKUS Pillar 2 for technology development and sharing, the partnership is expanding its scope to enhance regional peace and security.
South Korea views contributing its defense science and technology capabilities to AUKUS Pillar 2 positively, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in maintaining peace and stability within the region. Japan is also engaged in negotiations to join AUKUS Pillar 2, further strengthening collaborative efforts in developing advanced security technologies.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles commended South Korea’s efforts to deepen ties with Japan, noting their positive impact on the strategic landscape of the region. By upholding rules-based order in both regions and beyond, Australia and South Korea are working together to maintain peace and stability through their partnership with other countries. The inclusion of Japan and South Korea in AUKUS Pillar 2 represents a significant step forward in regional security cooperation.