1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul and Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik paid a courtesy call on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Norman Albanese in Canberra on the morning of April 29, during their visit to Australia to attend the 6th ROK-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting on May 1. They exchanged views on high-level exchanges, the Indo-Pacific strategy, defense and security cooperation, economic cooperation, and nuclear and other issues related to North Korea.

2. The ministers conveyed President Yoon’s regards and expressed gratitude for the noble sacrifice of the 17,164 Australian veterans who participated in the Korean War. They also pledged to continue their best efforts to advance the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” between the ROK and Australia.

3. Prime Minister Albanese also conveyed special regards to President Yoon, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the like-minded countries such as the ROK and Australia, amidst ongoing challenges to the norm-based international order. He expressed anticipation that the upcoming sixth ROK-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting would serve as an important opportunity to further strengthen strategic communication and cooperation between the two countries.

4. Both sides appreciated the active summit diplomacy between the two countries and agreed to continue close high-level communication, including summit-level exchanges.

5. Both sides also resolved to reinforce cooperation in implementing their Indo-Pacific strategies, and while acknowledging the remarkable progress in defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries, they agreed to further enhance collaboration in these areas.