South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik announced that his government is considering sharing advanced military technology with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia through the AUKUS partnership. This decision came after two days of meetings between South Korea and Australia’s defense and foreign ministers in Melbourne.
The AUKUS agreement, formed in 2021, aims to counter the growing military presence of China by providing Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology. Now, the partnership may expand to include cooperation on a wider range of security technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and hypersonic systems under AUKUS Pillar 2.
Shin expressed his enthusiasm for South Korea’s potential involvement in AUKUS Pillar 2, stating that their defense science and technology capabilities could contribute to regional peace and stability. Japan is also in talks to join AUKUS Pillar 2, further strengthening the partnership.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles welcomed South Korea’s efforts to deepen its relationship with Japan, emphasizing the positive impact on the strategic landscape of the region. Marles highlighted the importance of upholding the rules-based order within the region and the world, noting the collaboration between Korea and Australia in achieving this goal.
The potential expansion of the AUKUS partnership to include South Korea and Japan signifies a significant step forward in enhancing regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
