ㅇ Following the 19th Asian Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) in June, the Ministers of the two countries held ministerial talks during Minister Lee’s visit to Australia in August.
The two Ministers noted that the leaders of the ROK and Australia agreed on the need to expand cooperation between the two countries at the NATO Summit in June, and based on mutual trust formed between the defense ministers of the two countries by holding three ministerial talks in the defense field this year only. As a result, it was agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the defense and military fields.
In particular, the two Ministers noted that both countries are drafting defense strategy documents to cope with the recently changing security environment, and are in the process of drafting Korea’s “Defense Innovation 4.0” and Australia’s “Defense Strategic Review *” , we agreed to invent the future. -cooperation plans that focus on close collaboration between the two countries.
*A strategic report to review Australia’s defense capability development plan to respond to the rapidly changing regional security environment, to be released around March next year
In addition, the two Ministers decided to focus on promoting ▲ activating people-to-people exchanges in the defense and military fields, ▲ improving the frequency and level of joint bilateral or multilateral exercises, and ▲ expanding cooperation in the defense industry to improve interoperability between the military two countries. , joint training and defense science and technology cooperation.
Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Minister and Secretary agreed that North Korea’s increase in nuclear and missile capabilities and provocations are a threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the region and the world.
ㅇ While strongly condemning North Korea’s recent repeated missile launches and ICBM launches, it was decided to mobilize the will of the international community to get North Korea to give up and return to the dialogue forum.
ㅇ Finally, Minister Lee expressed appreciation for Australia’s active participation in the ‘Joint Statement Condemning North Korea’ issued after the UN Security Council meeting in connection with North Korea’s recent ICBM launch. <끝>
