South Korea has expressed interest in participating in the AUKUS security pact’s Pillar 2 projects, which focus on fostering collaboration on advanced military capabilities. But Seoul’s chances of being invited to join, along with Japan, remain slim due to its significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities and a series of high-profile technology leaks in both the public and private sectors.

During the Australia-ROK 2+2 joint meeting on May 1, South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik welcomed AUKUS members’ consideration of the country as a potential Pillar 2 partner, while Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles acknowledged Seoul’s impressive technology and shared values and suggested future opportunities for engagement.