{"id":2204924,"date":"2024-05-02T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T23:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204924"},"modified":"2024-05-01T19:01:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T10:01:07","slug":"south-korea-being-considered-as-potential-member-of-aukus-second-pillar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/05\/south-korea-being-considered-as-potential-member-of-aukus-second-pillar\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea being considered as potential member of AUKUS second pillar"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea \u201cwelcomes\u201d the AUKUS members’ consideration of Seoul as one of the partners of its second pillar on sharing advanced military technology, ROK defense minister Shin Won-sik said<\/a> on Wednesday after the foreign and defense ministerial meeting<\/a> in Melbourne. AUKUS stands for Australia, the U.K., and the U.S.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Canberra also appeared to express<\/a> support for the South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Group’s attempt to acquire the Australian shipbuilding firm Austral, which had previously rejected the bid. This comes amid defense deals worth $2.4 billion between the two countries, including the ROK’s export of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles.<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n AUKUS Pillar 2 focuses on shared advanced capability development in defense technology and is distinct from the more widely-known Pillar 1, which deals with conventionally armed and nuclear-powered submarines. The list of second pillar partners is not yet finalized. Japan and Canada are<\/a> considering<\/a> joining but New Zealand is<\/a> encountering<\/a> some domestic pushback to the potential collaboration.<\/p>\n South Korea’s inclusion in Pillar 2 as a partner to the three security powerhouses would benefit the ROK’s defense sector companies, such as Hanwha, as this pillar aims to actively engage private defense sector financing.<\/p>\n However, to become a proactive partner of this pillar, the government will need to secure some level of cooperation from the opposition-controlled parliament, as partners may be expected to streamline trade regulations to enhance the flow of defense exports. Furthermore, Seoul faces the challenging task of demonstrating to the AUKUS members its capacity and commitment to improving information security. This is because Pillar 2 specifies<\/a> that the “ability to adequately protect sensitive data and information” will be a factor in considering potential opportunities for collaboration, not just “technological innovation and industrial strengths,” the areas in which South Korea excels.<\/p>\n