Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

[In 19th Asia Security Summit]
ROK, Australia hold defense ministerial talks

On the morning of June 12, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop held a bilateral meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, on the sidelines of the 19th Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore. The two sides exchanged opinions on ways to boost bilateral cooperation in the areas of national defense and the arms industry, as well as the security situation in the region including the Korean Peninsula.

With a reminder that the two countries had upgraded bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership through the ROK-Australia Summit held in December 2021, Marles expressed his hope for expanding bilateral cooperation in the areas of national defense and arms industry, stressing that Australia considers the ROK as one of its key partner nations in terms of foreign policy.

In response, Lee explained the excellence of the ROK’s arms industry, and asked for Marles’ attention to help yield visible outcomes in arms industry cooperation between the two countries following the export of K-9 self-propelled howitzers.