Seoul

South Korean vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho pledged to enhance defense collaboration with Australia during a bilateral defense conference in Canberra on Thursday, as reported by source. The conference focused on addressing key threats in the Indo-Pacific region and exploring ways to strengthen military and defense industry cooperation between both nations.

Highlighting the participation of South Korean defense firms like Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Kim highlighted the importance of deepening relations amid global security challenges. In this critical security environment, the conference provided an opportunity to further solidify South Korea-Australia ties, Kim remarked, expressing commitment to intensify bilateral defense and arms industry cooperation.

South Korea and Australia have deepened their defense bonds, with Canberra securing significant contracts for South Korean weapons systems such as the Redback infantry fighting vehicle and K9 howitzers. Discussions between their diplomats and defense leaders have also explored South Korea’s potential involvement in the AUKUS security partnership’s technology cooperation (Pillar 2), initiated in 2021 by the United States, Britain, and Australia to counterbalance China’s regional influence.