Australia and South Korea Strengthen Ties to Tackle North Korea Nuclear Threat
Australia and South Korea have pledged to deepen security cooperation aimed at advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula and addressing North Korea’s nuclear challenge, South Korean officials confirmed Tuesday.
The agreement emerged from the first face-to-face meeting between South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News and a presidential spokesperson.
Beyond security, the two leaders committed to close collaboration to ensure the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum scheduled later this year in Gyeongju, South Korea.
“The leaders agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation to achieve tangible progress on peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” the presidential office said in an official statement.
President Lee described Australia as a “trusted ally” with historic ties dating back to its participation in the 1950-53 Korean War, emphasizing Canberra’s critical role in promoting regional stability and global prosperity.
Prime Minister Albanese echoed the sentiment, expressing ambitions to broaden cooperation across defense, the arms sector, clean energy, critical mineral supply chains, and other strategic areas.
In parallel, President Lee held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, exploring avenues to expand trade, investment, and energy partnerships.
Lee’s diplomatic engagements continue with a scheduled meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a highly anticipated meeting between Albanese and US President Donald Trump was canceled after Trump cut short his G7 attendance due to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, according to Australian broadcaster SBS News. The discussions were expected to cover contentious US steel and aluminum tariffs on Australian exports and a review of the AUKUS security pact.
