Korea-Australia Foreign Ministers' First Call: "Discuss Defense Cooperation and North Korea Response"

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol is having a phone call with Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the morning of the 25th. (Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

On the 25th, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol held his first phone call since taking office with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, discussing ways to develop bilateral relations, defense industry cooperation, and regional and global issues.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers had a 15-minute phone call starting at 11:15 a.m. that day. Minister Wong congratulated Minister Cho on his appointment and expressed her intention to communicate closely with him and work together to advance Korea-Australia relations.

Minister Cho evaluated the strong and close partnership that the two countries have built in recent years based on their "comprehensive strategic partnership." The two ministers agreed to continue strengthening communication and solidarity between the two representative like-minded countries in the region and to work together to promote regional stability and peace.

In particular, Minister Cho recalled that last year, a Korean company was selected as the preferred negotiator for Australia's next-generation infantry fighting vehicle project and subsequently signed an export contract, expressing gratitude for Australia's interest and support.

Additionally, the two ministers agreed on the necessity of promptly holding the 6th Korea-Australia Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministerial Meeting and emphasized maintaining a flow of high-level exchanges more closely than ever.

They expressed concern over North Korea escalating regional tensions with hostile rhetoric and provocations, as well as threatening global peace through illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The two ministers shared the view that the international community must continue to respond firmly and unitedly to North Korea's provocations and threats, and also work together to improve the human rights situation in North Korea."