Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Lee meets Australian Ambassador Catherine Raper

On November 16, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup met with Australian Ambassador Catherine Raper and exchanged views on the regional security situation, including the Korean Peninsula, and ways to strengthen defense cooperation between South Korea and Australia.

Minister Lee stated that the defense cooperation relationship between the two countries is developing very closely, as Korea and Australia upgraded their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) in December 2021 and held a Summit in June 2022.

Lee also gave a detailed explanation of the Korean government's position in response to Ambassador Raper's recent inquiry into Lee’s assessment of the background behind the series of provocations by North Korea and the future situation on the Korean Peninsula.