Military alliances have been proven to be good ways of getting friendly nations on one table and sharing weapon technologies. AUKUS is a military alliance that consists of the US, UK, and Australia and is aimed at fostering the betterment of the military strategy and technology of those nations. Though the AUKUS is much smaller than NATO, it’s worth noting that all the nations in the alliance are part of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

As per reports, South Korea is going to join the alliance this year, along with Japan. So, let’s go ahead and learn more about this developing story.

What is AUKUS? 

AUKUS is a newly founded security pact formed in September 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It focuses on the Indo-Pacific region, which is an important  area and is considered strategically important due to increasing tensions with China.

The most high-profile aspect of AUKUS is a plan to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Only a handful of nations currently possess this technology, and Australia will receive assistance with its acquisition and operation from the US and UK. This move will greatly enhance the Australian military’s capabilities in the region.

Apart from submarines, AUKUS is also focusing on joint work on other sophisticated military technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber defense, and hypersonic weapons. These military technologies are intended to bolster the common protection of all three countries.

South Korea To Join AUKUS In 2024?

South Korea is in talks about joining a part of the AUKUS pact, a security agreement between Australia, the US, and the UK. This news comes after a meeting between South Korean and Australian officials. AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s growing military influence and strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The pact’s core feature is providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, a technology few possess. 

South Korea, with its advanced defense industry, could potentially contribute to other aspects of AUK-US collaboration on military technology, like AI and cyber defense. This would strengthen regional security for all involved.

There has been interest in the expansion of the AUKUS security partnership by both South Korea and Japan. AUKUS is currently between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom and is focused on countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. This expansion is referred to as “Pillar 2,” and it would involve cooperation regarding more advanced military technologies, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and hypersonic weapons.

South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has welcomed the invitation to join AUK-US Pillar 2. This update shows their strong defense industry’s potential contribution to the alliance in the future. He believes this participation would promote regional peace and stability. Japan is also following suit, moving towards formal discussions to become a part of this technology development and sharing initiative.

Regional security benefits greatly from the collaboration between South Korea and Japan that Australia has witnessed with respect. In what is referred to as the Quad, they participate alongside the United States, India, and Australia. The Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles, refers to this improved connection between South Korea and Japan as a chance for more profound associations between all three countries.

He emphasizes the shared goal of maintaining a strong international order in the region and beyond. This indicates that Australia sees a larger collaborative effort in the Indo-Pacific region. This will potentially lead to better coordination on issues like maritime security and upholding international law.

To Summarise

South Korea has accepted the warm invitation from the Australian leader to join the AUK-US Military Alliance. This paves the way for South Korea to showcase its impressive military technologies to the world, including the US and UK. The AUKUS was primarily made with the aim of providing nuclear submarines to Australia. But now the moves being made by the alliance show that the shift is towards maintaining a strong influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

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