Earth Science News
WATER WORLD
S. Korea discussing participation in AUKUS tech pact: defence minister
S. Korea discussing participation in AUKUS tech pact: defence minister
by AFP Staff Writers
Sydney (AFP) May 1, 2024

South Korea's defence minister on Wednesday said his country was actively discussing participation in a landmark defence technology pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"During today's meeting we also discussed the possibility of partnering with AUKUS pillar two," Shin Won-sik said, referring to a pact focused on developing hypersonic weapons, drones and other advanced technologies.

Shin was speaking after a meeting of Australian and South Korean defence and foreign ministers in Melbourne.

AUKUS was established in 2021 with two main goals in mind: "Pillar one" aims to provide Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines. South Korea is not expected to be part of that project.

"Pillar two" focuses on developing advanced warfighting capabilities such as artificial intelligence, undersea drones and hypersonic missiles.

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have said they are open to other partners taking part, with Japan, South Korea and New Zealand all said to be in consideration.

Shin welcomed his country being considered as a means to "enhance regional peace".

"Korea is obviously a country with deeply impressive technology," said Australian defence minister Richard Marles. "So as AUKUS pillar two develops, I think there will be opportunities in the future".

Bordered by North Korea, Seoul has one of the largest and most technologically advanced militaries in the region.

"We do welcome that AUKUS members are considering Korea as an AUKUS pillar two partner," Shin said. "Korea's defence, science and technology capabilities will contribute to peace and stability, (and to) the development of AUKUS pillar two."

AUKUS has been strongly opposed by China, which sees the pact as provoking division in Asia and risking nuclear proliferation.

In recent years, Beijing has tried to chip away at US influence across the Pacific.

Washington has responded by trying to bind allies tighter together through a latticework of bilateral and multilaterial pacts.

Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
Solomon Islands pro-China PM says not standing for new term
Honiara (AFP) April 29, 2024
Solomon Islands' incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare said Monday he would not stand for a new term, ending his pro-China rule of more than four years. His withdrawal followed inconclusive April 17 elections that led his party to choose foreign minister Jeremiah Manele as its parliamentary leader - in effect its candidate for the premiership. Solomon Islands MPs will choose a new prime minister in a secret ballot on Thursday. During four spasmodic spells as the Pacific nation's leader ... read more

WATER WORLD
High winds temporarily halt Gaza pier construction

In southern Brazil, flood victims cope with total loss

'Slightly' more food available in Gaza but famine still looms: WHO

Death toll from south China road collapse rises to 48

WATER WORLD
Umbra progresses to next phase in DARPA radar tech program

Australian Government backs Space Machines Company in joint India mission to combat space debris

Microsoft announces $2.2 bn AI, cloud investment in Malaysia

Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia

WATER WORLD
Solomon Islands pro-China PM says not standing for new term

N.Zealand says 'seriously concerned' by China's increased security actions in Pacific

Manta Ray UUV moves closer to operational readiness after successful tests

Blinken says US delivering for Pacific islands despite China's reach

WATER WORLD
Emperor penguins perish as ice melts to new lows: study

West Antarctic ice shelf stability threatened by feedback loop

New geological map redefines understanding of Greenland's subterranean rocks

From peak to plummet: impending decline of the warm Arctic-cold continents phenomenon

WATER WORLD
Chad's cotton farmers burned by climate change and false promises

Predicting crop yields with plant fluorescence from satellite imagery

Hong Kong team plants seeds to safeguard legacy grains

Oil palm cultivation linked to significant watershed disturbances

WATER WORLD
Lake Tsunamis Identified as Growing Climate Hazard

Rescuers brave Indonesia volcano eruptions to save pets

Floods in southern Brazil kill 57, force 70,000 from homes

Schools, offices shut as heavy rain returns to desert UAE

WATER WORLD
Russian troops deploy to Niger base housing US soldiers: Pentagon

Kenya names new defence chief after deadly chopper crash

Hundreds in Burkina protest US reaction to massacre report

Eight DR Congo troops handed desertion death sentence

WATER WORLD
UK researchers unveil face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman

A world with fewer children? Addressing the despair behind declining fertility

LGBTQ Iraqis fear dark days ahead after anti-gay law

Ancient landscapes point to Australia's initial human migration paths

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.