The security pact Aukus

South Korea opens to join Aukus

South Korea is considering joining the Aukus depository cooperation, several news agencies report. The announcement comes after a meeting between the South Korean defense and foreign ministers and their Australian counterparts, and just weeks after Japan was also invited to talks about possible accession.

- We see this as a very, very positive step forward in terms of strategic leadership in the region and an excellent opportunity for Australia to cooperate with Japan and South Korea, says Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles according to AP.

The collaboration was launched in 2021 and currently includes Australia, the USA and the UK. The aim is to be a counter force to China in the region.

The pact is based on two "pillars". What is relevant for Japan and South Korea is to join the second pillar, which means that the countries exchange defense technology with each other.

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New Zealand: Far from joining the defense pact

New Zealand is currently not close to joining the defense cooperation Aukus. This is what Foreign Minister Winston Peters says, after both Japan and South Korea opened up to join, writes Reuters.

According to Peters, New Zealand needs to better familiarize itself with what the cooperation would entail before taking a position.

- The government is currently far from being able to make such a decision, he says.

However, he emphasizes that it would be "irresponsible" for them to completely rule out cooperating with "like-minded partners" in the future.

Aukus was launched in 2021 and currently includes Australia, the USA and the UK. The aim is to be a counter force to China in the region.