Australia and South Korea have discussed expanding a secretive defence pact as top diplomats from both nations committed to blocking arms funds to North Korea and preventing trade to Russia.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with their counterparts Shin Won-sik and Cho Tae-yul in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The two countries agreed to collaborate in blocking North Korea's access to funding for nuclear missile development and prevent illegal activities such as arms trading between the dictatorship and Russia.
It was important the international community assert as much pressure as possible on North Korea through measures like sanctions, Senator Wong said.
"The actions of Russia in undermining those sanctions, in undermining the isolation of (North Korea), in participating in the provision of material, in contravention of resolutions and sanctions, is destabilising and undermines peace and security for the whole of the globe," she said.
South Korea supported the second pillar of the AUKUS relationship between Australia, the US and UK and welcomed Seoul being considered, Mr Shin said.
The first pillar of the AUKUS alliance - under which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines from America before a new class is built with all three nations - remains strictly trilateral.
The second pillar covers advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and hypersonic missiles.
"Korea's defence science and technology capabilities will contribute to the peace and stability of the development of AUKUS pillar two and the regional peace," Mr Shin said.
"We also discussed the possibility of partnering with AUKUS pillar two."
Mr Marles reiterated the pact was a technology-sharing alliance, not a military one.
"And Korea is obviously a country with deeply impressive technology, where we do have shared values, where we have strategic alignment, where we engage closely together," he said.
"We already engage closely together in relation to technology so as AUKUS pillar two develops, I think there will be opportunities in the future, and we're seeing that play out in relation to Japan as well."
The ministers agreed to work on reciprocal defence co-operation agreements, a readout of the meeting said, as both nations work to boost military engagement in the region.
"The ministers agreed to regularise bilateral intelligence exchanges and information sharing," it said.
Mr Marles invited South Korea to send high-level military delegations to Australia to familiarise themselves with the defence industry and touted similar visits from Australian officials.
Both foreign ministers also discussed issues of diplomacy in the Middle East, including the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Mr Marles and Mr Shin on Monday visited South Korean defence industry giant Hanwha's facility in Geelong, which is building equipment for the Australian army.
Australian Associated Press
