Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Vice Minister of National Defense Kim Seon Ho will visit Australia from July 10 to 12 to host the Korea-Australia Defense and Defense industry Cooperation Conference in Australia on July 11 (local time).

This is the first overseas defense and defense industry conference hosted by the Defense Ministry.

The Ministry organized the conference to strengthen ties with countries, recognizing the need to consolidate cooperation with like-minded partner countries in the midst of an emerging complex security environment.

Australia was chosen as the first country to host the conference because it has upheld the universal values of freedom, peace and prosperity and a rules-based international order, and Korea's defense and defense industry cooperation with Australia has recently grown in a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The conference, to be held in Canberra, Australia, will bring together key officials from government institutions, industry, academia, and research institutes from both countries to discuss and share strategies and visions for the development of bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation.

The Defense Ministry plans to hold more of these overseas conferences to identify operational elements by networking with local officials, build confidence in the Korean defense industry and promote friendly conditions with strategic responses.

Korean defense companies such as Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, Hanwha Systems, and Korea Aerospace Industries will set up exhibition booths at the conference venue to promote the excellence of Korean weapon systems.

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho will visit the exhibitions of Korean defense companies to encourage their representatives.

□ During his visit to Australia, Vice Minister Kim will visit and meet with senior officials of key institutions such as the Department of Defense, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG), and the Australian National University (ANU) to discuss the latest security situation and the direction of bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation. He will also visit the Australian War Memorial and the monument for Korean War veterans to thank the representative of soldiers who fought in the Korean War and to pay tribute to their sacrifices.