During a meeting between South Korea and Australia’s defense and foreign ministers in Melbourne, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik revealed that the government is considering sharing advanced military technology with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia through the AUKUS partnership. This collaboration could potentially involve a wide range of security technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and hypersonic systems as part of AUKUS Pillar 2.
The AUKUS agreement was formed in 2021, with the United States and the United Kingdom providing Australia with submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology to counter China’s increasing military presence in the region. With the potential inclusion of South Korea and Japan in AUKUS Pillar 2 for technology development and sharing, the partnership is expanding its scope to enhance regional peace and security.
South Korea views the opportunity to contribute its defense science and technology capabilities to AUKUS Pillar 2 positively, highlighting the importance of enhancing peace and stability within the region through cooperation. Japan is also in talks to join AUKUS Pillar 2, further strengthening the collaborative efforts in developing advanced security technologies.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles commended South Korea’s initiatives to deepen ties with Japan, noting the positive impact on the strategic landscape of the region. By upholding the rules-based order in the region and around the world, Australia and South Korea are working together to maintain peace and stability through their partnership with Japan in AUKUS Pillar 2.
The inclusion of Japan and South Korea in AUKUS Pillar 2 signifies a significant step forward in regional security cooperation as it expands its scope beyond just military cooperation to include technology development and sharing.
In conclusion, this potential collaboration among these countries will help ensure that they are better prepared for future threats while maintaining peace and stability within their respective regions.