South Korea eyes potential participation in AUKUS defense pact

South Korea seeks to join ‘Pillar 2’ of the AUKUS defense pact, while negotiations on the inclusion of Japan continue

South Korea engaged in talks on potential participation in the AUKUS defense pact involving the U.S., U.K. and Australia, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik announced on Wednesday.

The move comes shortly after the pact expressed willingness to expand to include Japan.

Established in 2021, AUKUS serves as a two-stage security pact aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Asia Pacific region.

The first stage, focused on providing nuclear submarine technology to Australia, only covers core three, while there are discussions about allowing other countries to join the second stage, known as “Pillar 2”, which aims to facilitate the sharing of additional military technology.

South Korea has potential for AUKUS

Minister Shin noted that South Korea could contribute to this second stage with its defense capabilities, scientific expertise, and technological advances.

These remarks were made after a meeting in Melbourne between the foreign and defense ministers of Australia and South Korea.

“We support AUKUS Pillar 2 activities and we do welcome that members are considering Korea as an AUKUS Pillar 2 partner,” he said after the meeting.

Given South Korea’s strong ties with the U.S. and its leading position in the global defense industry, it has long been the subject of speculation as a potential partner for Pillar 2, along with Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

Recent consideration of Japan as a Pillar 2 partner underscores the potential for South Korea to join future efforts.

China is concerned

China, which has been a strong critic of the AUKUS pact, has expressed concerns that the addition of new members could destabilize the region.

Source: Reuters