Discussion on cooperative framework at international logistics forum with Australia and others
Agreement with Australia and others for mutual logistics support during emergencies
The Army has decided to strengthen logistics cooperation with eight countries, including Australia and Thailand. This means mutual logistics support in areas such as emergencies, military training, and international peacekeeping activities.
According to the Army on the 19th, the '2023 Korea-ASEAN International Logistics Forum (KAIF)' will be held from the 19th to the 21st in Gyeryong-si, Chungnam, with key logistics officials from 12 countries participating. More than 50 participants from the United States, Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and T?rkiye attended the event organized to strengthen logistics cooperation among KAIF member countries.
KAIF, a consultative body established to build a multilateral security cooperation system in the logistics sector, was initiated under Korea's leadership in 2021 and is now in its third year. The forum will be held over three days with themes including international cooperation measures against non-traditional threats, the Korean military’s power support system and subsequent logistics support development plans, and the advancement of power support systems applying advanced technologies. During the event, bilateral talks between Army General Staff Chief Park Jeong-hwan and foreign military representatives will also be arranged.
On the day, attendees shared experiences in responding to non-military threats such as infectious diseases and disasters, and discussed the transfer of military supplies abroad and the establishment of an efficient logistics support system. After the meeting, a joint declaration was adopted focusing on strengthening logistics cooperation among countries and contributing to international peace.
The Army aims to make KAIF, held annually in Korea, an international consultative body leading inter-country technology and information exchange and international logistics cooperation, and will discuss expanding the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) during this event. Currently, KAIF member countries that have signed MLSAs with Korea include Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, T?rkiye, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam?eight countries in total. These countries cooperate on mutual logistics support in areas such as emergencies, military training, and international peacekeeping activities.
Colonel Park Joo-won, head of the KAIF event planning team, said, "The Army prepared this forum to strengthen international cooperative systems to respond to both traditional and non-traditional threats," adding, "We will ensure that logistics leaders from each country can share know-how and establish a foundation for cooperation."
The forum participants will tour the Army’s Comprehensive Maintenance Depot and the Agency for Defense Development, and experience the Warrior Platform, one of the Army’s three major combat systems, on-site, the Army stated.
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