First Japan, now South Korea confirms Aukus talks on joining defence pact

South Korea is the latest country to explore the possibility of working with Aukus, after both Japan and New Zealand also flagged their interest
The focus would be on the pact’s second ‘pillar’, which involves sharing military technology such as quantum computing and hypersonic missiles

South Korea

Reuters

Published: 2:10pm, 1 May 2024

Why you can trust SCMP

South Korea has held talks on joining a part of the Aukus defence deal between the United States, Britain and Australia, Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said on Wednesday, only weeks after the pact said it would hold formal talks on Japan’s entry.

Formed in 2021, Aukus is a two-stage security pact to counteract China’s growing power in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aukus not an ‘Asian Nato’ but expansion could complicate China’s regional plans

While a first stage to give Australia nuclear submarine technology is limited to the core trio, they have raised the possibility of other countries joining a second stage, or “Pillar 2”, that aims to share other military technology including quantum computing and hypersonic missiles.

South Korea could contribute to that second stage with its defence, science and technological capabilities, Shin said at a news conference after a meeting between Australia and South Korea’s foreign and defence ministers in Melbourne.

“During today’s meeting we also discussed the possibility of partnering with Aukus Pillar 2,” he said.

“We support Aukus Pillar 2 activities and we do welcome that members are considering Korea as an Aukus Pillar 2 partner.”

An IBM Quantum System One, the first commercially available circuit-based quantum computer, pictured at a US university last month. Quantum computing is one of the areas covered by Aukus Pillar Two Photo: AP

South Korea, with its close ties to the US and world-leading defence industry, has long been speculated as a potential Pillar 2 partner along with Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

Both Japan and New Zealand have flagged their interest in joining Aukus in recent months.

It is the strategic research partnerships under pillar two of Aukus that interests regional partners including Seoul.

Less than a month ago the Aukus partners announced they were considering working with Japan on specific Pillar 2 defence projects and would hold talks over its involvement this year.

As Aukus Pillar 2 develops there will be opportunities in the future, and we’re seeing that play out in relation to Japan as well

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles

“Korea is a country with deeply impressive technology where we do have shared values,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles.

“As Aukus Pillar 2 develops there will be opportunities in the future, and we’re seeing that play out in relation to Japan as well.”

China, a vocal critic of the pact, said in April that adding new members would destabilise the region.

Expanding the pact faces hurdles from strict US restrictions on sharing technology, which Canberra and London worry could bog down the deal for all if new members are added too quickly.

The US State Department on Tuesday unveiled a plan to relax those restrictions and make it easier to transfer military gear and sensitive technology to Britain and Australia.