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China-South Korea relations
ChinaDiplomacy

South Korea brings hypersonic tech to the Aukus table in a sign Seoul is moving closer to the US and its other allies

  • South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik has confirmed Seoul is in talks to take part in Pillar 2 of the defence alliance
  • Analysts say South Korea could ‘bring a great deal of expertise to any collaboration’ with its hypersonic weapons knowledge

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As South Korea confirms it is in talks to join Aukus Pillar 2, it is the country’s hypersonic capabilities that will be very useful to the alliance, analysts say. Its fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae, is being developed to be able to carry hypersonic missiles. Photo: Weibo
Seong Hyeon Choi
Advanced South Korean hypersonic technology would be a “good contributor” to Aukus in standing up against China’s weapons, and Seoul’s desire to join the security pact signals it is leaning further towards the US and its other allies, analysts say.
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The assessment follows confirmation from South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik that his country is in talks to take part in Aukus, and possibly join Pillar 2 of the US-led trilateral defence alliance between Australia, Britain and America.

In Melbourne on Wednesday, Shin took part in a 2+2 meeting – which are talks involving foreign and defence ministers – between Australia and South Korea.

He confirmed the two countries discussed the possibility that South Korea could contribute to the defence technology sharing pact between Australia, Britain and the US.

“During today’s meeting, we also discussed the possibility of partnering with Aukus Pillar 2,” Shin said.
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“We support Aukus Pillar 2 activities and we do welcome that members are considering Korea as an Aukus Pillar 2 partner.”

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