Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Deputy Defense Minister of Policy Dr. Cho Chang-rae, and acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space policy Dr. Vipin Narang, co-chairs for the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), signed the “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula” at the U.S. Department of Defense on July 11, 2024.

The guidelines provide principles and procedures to assist alliance policy and military authorities in maintaining an effective nuclear deterrence policy and posture.

The two defense leaders also noted the recent joint statement by President Biden and President Yoon commending and endorsing the tremendous progress achieved during the first year of the NCG.

Vice Defense Minister holds conference on Korea-Australia defense and defense industry cooperation

Vice Minister of National Defense Kim Seon Ho held a conference on Korea-Australia defense and defense industry cooperation in Canberra, Australia on July 11 (Thursday). The aim of the conference was to recognize the need for and strengthen cooperation between like-mined partners in a changing security environment. It is the first overseas conference organized by the Defense Ministry.

The conference was attended by some 100 key representatives from the Korean and Australian governments, industry, academia and research institutions. It began with opening remarks by Vice Defense Minister Kim, followed by panel discussions and a closing session,

The Vice Minister said in his opening remarks: “Korea and Australia have worked together to uphold the universal values of freedom, peace and prosperity and to maintain a rules-based international order, and have expanded high-level exchanges on the basis of a comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Explaining the significance of the conference, he said, “As both countries have strengthened interoperability through various joint exercises and increased cooperation in defense and defense industry, this conference will further cement bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation and provide us with an opportunity to share a long-term vision that would contribute to the regional and world peace.”

The ensuing discussions consisted of four sessions in which participants discussed and raised questions on the direction of bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation.

In the first session, Korean participants presented topics on a comprehensive Korea-Australia strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, and Australian participants presented topics on major threats and responses in the Indo-Pacific and opportunities for Korea-Australia strategic cooperation.

In the second session, Korea gave a presentation on innovation in defense science and technology based on collective intelligence and prospects for the development of domestic space weapon systems and methods of Korea-Australia cooperation.

In the third session, the Korean participants gave a presentation on the status and further development of Korea-Australia defense industry cooperation and methods of strategic cooperation between Korean-Australian navies, while the Australian participants presented topics on the experience and development of Korea-Australia defense industry cooperation and the need for strengthening Korea-Australia defense industry cooperation.

In the fourth session, Korean defense companies including Hanhwa Ocean, HD Hyundai, Hanwha Systems and Korea Aerospace Industries, gave a presentation on the status of Korea’s indigenous domestic weapons systems development, which attracted keen attention from the Australian representatives.

Parallel to the conference, weapon system exhibition halls were set up for domestic defense companies, including Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, Hanwha Systems and Korea Aerospace Industries, to promote the excellence of the Korean weapon systems.

Vice Minister Kim visited the exhibition halls and encouraged company officials working hard to promote defense exports.

He listened to their difficulties, discussed how to expand defense exports through public-private cooperation, and expressed the government’s commitment to ensure that efforts by Korean defense companies lead to exports.

In particular, the Vice Minister explained in detail the excellence of the Korean weapons system to the key Australian officials attending the exhibition.

Australian participants showed keen interest in Korean weapon systems such as frigates, the TA-50, and communications systems, which have gained popularity worldwide due to their superior technology.

Vice Minister Kim aroused interest and attention for Korea weapon systems by explaining their characteristics from an operator’s point of view and by presenting the Korean government’s policy for subsequent military logistics support.

“The Korea-Australia Defense and Defense Industry Conference, the first overseas defense conference by the Ministry of National Defense, was very successful and provided momentum for further consolidation of Korea-Australia relations amid a grave global security environment,” he said, adding, “We are committed to further strengthening bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries.“

The Defense Ministry plans to hold more conferences in the second half of the year to strengthen cooperation with countries that share values.