South Korea Considers Joining AUKUS Pillar 2 Security Pact

South Korea is examining involvement in AUKUS Pillar 2, a security pact between the United States, Britain, and Australia aimed at sharing military technology and countering China's growing power in the Asia Pacific region. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-Sik stated that South Korea supports AUKUS Pillar Two activities and welcomes the consideration of South Korea as an AUKUS Pillar Two partner.

AUKUS is a two-stage security pact formed in 2021. The first stage involves delivering nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia and is not open to new members. However, the AUKUS partners have raised the possibility of other countries joining the second stage, known as Pillar 2, which aims to share military technology across various areas, including quantum computing and hypersonic missiles.

Japan and South Korea confirm AUKUS talks and has been speculated as a potential Pillar 2 partner along with Canada, New Zealand, and Japan. Less than a month ago, the AUKUS partners announced they were considering working with Japan on specific Pillar 2 defense projects and would hold talks over its involvement this year.

Why this matters: South Korea's potential participation in AUKUS Pillar 2 reflects the growing regional interest in this security initiative to counter China's influence. It also highlights the expanding scope of the pact beyond its original three members.

Minister Shin made the remarks about South Korea's interest in AUKUS Pillar 2 during a meeting with Australia's foreign and defense ministers. He said, "South Korea supports AUKUS Pillar 2 activities and welcomes being considered as a partner." The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral military cooperation, including through joint exercises, and addressed collaborating with AUKUS Pillar 2.

However, expanding the AUKUS pact faces hurdles from strict U.S. restrictions on sharing technology, which the U.S. is now looking to relax to make it easier to transfer military gear and sensitive technology to Britain and Australia. China has criticized the potential expansion of AUKUS, saying it would destabilize the region.

South Korea verifies discussions on AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia. Formal talks on Japan's entry into AUKUS are also set to begin this year, following South Korea's expression of support for the pact's second pillar activities and its interest in becoming a partner.

Key Takeaways

• South Korea is examining involvement in AUKUS Pillar 2 security pact.
• AUKUS Pillar 2 aims to share military tech, including quantum computing and hypersonics.
• Japan and South Korea are potential Pillar 2 partners, along with Canada and New Zealand.
• Expanding AUKUS faces hurdles from U.S. restrictions on sharing sensitive technology.
• China criticizes potential AUKUS expansion, saying it would destabilize the region.