Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Lee discusses Security with the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Confirming Australia's active support for peacekeeping efforts on the Korean Peninsula

Ambassador Raper ‘hopes to meet with U.S. Defense Minister’

Defense Minister, Lee Jong Sup is discussing ways to strengthen defense cooperation with Catherine Raper, Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Courtesy of c

On the 16th, Defense Minister Lee Jong Sup had a meeting with Australian Ambassador to ROK Catherine Raper at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the ROK and Australia and security situations across the region, including the Korean Peninsula.

At the meeting, Minister Lee pointed out, “The ROK and Australia upgraded their bilateral relations up to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December last year, and held a summit meeting last June, developing their defense cooperation relationship.”

Especially, after meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in June, Minister Lee stressed that a turning point in defense and defense industry cooperation had been established through deep communication, such as his visiting Australia in August and visiting a local plant site for K9 self-propelled artillery for which a contract was signed last year.

In response, Ambassador Raper said she hopes that talks between the two nations' defense ministers will take place at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus) scheduled for next week.

Minister Lee explained in detail the ROK government's stance in response to Ambassador Raper's inquiries about the background of North Korea's recent series of provocations and the future circumstances on the Korean Peninsula. Ambassador Raper reassured the Australian government's unwavering support for the ROK government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, and announced that Australia would play its part as a responsible member of the international community in terms of implementing UN sanctions on North Korea.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>