South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles shake hands during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on May 30, 2023. (Photo provided by Yoon’s office. Not for resale and filing)
Seoul, May 30 (Yonhap) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday and discussed bilateral defense cooperation and the Indo-Pacific region. South Korean presidential spokesman Lee Doo-woon said.
Marles was in Seoul to attend a summit between South Korea and Pacific island nations, representing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Marles also serves as the Defense Minister of Australia.
According to Lee, Yoon thanked Marles for his presence and said that South Korea-Australia relations would be discussed shortly after their summit with Albania on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G-7) earlier this month. It’s encouraging to have another opportunity to do that. , in Japan.
They also hoped that the two countries would work together to enhance cooperation with the Pacific Island Nations as key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marles agreed with Yoon and congratulated him on successfully hosting the inaugural summit between South Korea and Pacific island nations, noting that the participating leaders were very pleased with the outcome.
The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed the desire to maintain close coordination between the two countries as they strengthen cooperation in various fields on the basis of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between South Korea and Australia and work with Pacific Island countries for regional peace and prosperity. Let’s increase cooperation with. According to Lee.
Yoon specifically referred to Australia’s defense security review announced last month, which it said should be supported through the two countries’ “two plus two” dialogue, given the many similarities in their strategic approaches to building peace and stability. Close communication was expected, including with his foreign and defense ministers. Supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marles said Australia hoped to take bilateral defense cooperation a step further in line with the changing security environment, and wanted South Korean advanced defense companies to play a greater role in enhancing Australia’s defense capabilities.
ruy@yna.co.kr
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